Ms. Lena Ethridge King, daughter of Inez Etheridge King of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Sam King of Camden, Alabama passed on at the blessed age of 100 years old to her heavenly rewards in the company of her loving children, Dr. Gary King and Debra (King) Jenkins, in Katy, Texas on Thursday, May 13, 2021.  Ms. King was formerly married to the late James O. Jackson and spent the last 75 years in Waterbury, Connecticut where she worked and raised her family. She was a fervently devoted Christian parishioner of the Church of the Living God where she ardently served as a mother of the church for over 40 years.

Ms. King is survived by her two children, Gary and Debra, and by two grandchildren Christine Lena and Aaron James Jenkins and a great granddaughter, Chelsen Lena Jenkins as well as a nephew, James Snowden and other family. She is preceded in death by a loving grandchild, Jabari Adofo Hopson King. She is also survived by her sister, Ms. Lela Mae Snowden of Houston, Texas including a son-in-law, James Jenkins, and a daughter-in-law, Joyce Hopson King.

In her early twenties, Ms. King migrated north, first to Great Barrington, Massachusetts and later to Waterbury where she settled and worked. God was the source and center of "Mother King's" life and her faith and devotion. Her service through Christian worship was exemplified by her participation as a long-standing member of the usher board, fund-raiser for the church, comforter to those in need and numerous other activities in the service of the Lord. One of her most passionate tasks was organizing, supervising, and preparing Saturday church dinners that attracted the entire community for a hearty, soulful meal of Southern cuisine. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 23, "The Lord is My Shepherd". Gospel hymns and songs of worship were Mother King's Balm of Gilead. The melodies, rhythms, and lyrics provided solace and strength in the midst of the storm and triumphant joy as the earthly trials and tribulations receded. Her favorite hymn was "Sweet Hour of Prayer" that Gary and Debra sang to her as she "crossed over the Jordan River."

Mother King was grateful to God for blessing her with the rare gift of 100 years on this earth, and to him she exclaimed in words and deeds, "To God be the Glory"! She was laid to rest in the family cemetery plot in Lake Charles, Louisiana.