The Excelsior Standard, Oct. 3,2025

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Helen L. King, 84, of Lawson passed away Sept. 25, 2025, at her daughter’s home.

Helen King was born April 10, 1941, in Brockwell, Ark., to Harrison and Willene (Melton) Wyatt. At that time, her family made their living working in the cotton fields of Izard County in northern Arkansas.

Around 1952, Helen moved with her family to Lawson. She attended high school there up to her junior year, later graduating in 1959 from Excelsior Springs High School.

Helen had a passion for singing and enjoyed reading mystery novels. One of her cherished memories was winning first place in a singing contest she entered. Above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On June 15, 1958, Helen married Earnest Cletus King. They lived in Excelsior Springs until December 1959, when they moved back to their hometown of Lawson and welcomed their daughter Lisa.

Helen had a varied work life. She worked at Whitaker Cable until the factory closed, then at Guy’s Foods until early retirement. After retiring, Earnest and Helen opened King’s Tire Shop, a home-based business where they played Christian music as they worked together.

Helen was a sweet, kind and loving Christian woman who faithfully attended the Church of Christ throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her baby sister, Evelyn Wyatt; parents, Harrison and Willene Wyatt; and niece, Kara Ann Wyatt.

Helen is survived by her husband, Earnest King; daughter, Ramona Lisa (King) Morgan; son-in-law, Rex Morgan; and brother, Doyal Wyatt, and his wife Diana. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Courtney Kennedy (husband Jason) and Crystal Vanderlinden (husband Russ); and great-grandchildren, Josclyn Caldwell (husband Garrett), Kiersten Kennedy, Maren Kennedy, Morgan Kennedy, Raegan Kennedy, Zach Mosley, Sam Vanderlinden and Rory Vanderlinden; and great-great-grandchildren, Colter Mosley and baby girl Caldwell. Extended family members Ryan Colby, Caden McElwee, and Tim and Shantele Frie also survive.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

A couple of Helen’s thoughts she had written down about being a Christian: “The way of the believer should be as distinct from those of the unbeliever as light from darkness, and as a bright garden from that of a dreary desert.”

Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Harbor Hospice at 208 N. Main St., Plattsburg, MO 64477; or online at www.harborfoundation.com.

Visitation was scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home-Lawson Chapel, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Lawson, with the funeral service at noon and graveside service to follow at Lawson Cemetery.