Helen Christine King

FORT WORTH – Helen Christine King, a longtime Waco resident, passed away on Thursday, October 30, in Fort Worth, shortly following her 96th birthday.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES: Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Waco Memorial Park. Friends are invited to attend with the Reverend Steve Ramsdell officiating.

Christine was born October 11, 1918, in Vernon, Texas to Anderson and Faye Smith. She married William George “Dub” King in July of 1940. He predeceased her in 2002 after 61 years of marriage.

Christine grew up in Vernon and graduated from Vernon High School. She and Dub met while they were both students at Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth. She earned a BA in music from North Texas State Teachers College in 1940 and later taught piano to many students in Waco.

For many years she was a third grade teacher at Mountainview Elementary School in Waco. After she retired, she enjoyed growing plants in her greenhouse – especially orchids. Christine always had a thirst to learn. She was a lifelong music lover, talented painter, avid reader and especially enjoyed researching her family’s genealogy. She loved to sew and smock for her only grandchild, Katherine.

Dub always said Christine was “the wind beneath his wings.” The Kings moved to Waco in 1951 when Dub became Sports Information Director for the Baylor Bears. From 1955 to 1971 Dub had a popular weekly sports review program on KCEN-TV. Later, he was actively involved in the public relations business, including promoting the Heart of Texas Fair and Methodist Home. No one could have been a more ardent supporter of his many endeavors than Christine. They were truly partners.

Dub and Christine were active members of Waco’s First United Methodist Church for more than fifty years. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir.

Christine was truly devoted to her family. We learned so much watching her as our wonderful mother.

She was preceded by her husband, Dub King, and her brother, Dr. M. L. Smith of Hamlin.

SURVIVORS: Daughter, Karen King Barr and her husband Kenneth of Fort Worth; son, Andy King of Austin; granddaughter, Katherine King Barr Smith and her husband, Raleigh, of Fort Worth.