CAROL FAY (BARKER) KING

 

April 21, 2021

Funeral services for Carol Fay (Barker) King will be 2 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Elm and Murrow Church of Christ in Waynoka, Oklahoma, with Cary Branscum officiating. Interment will be in Waynoka Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Waynoka. Visitation and viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Elm and Murrow Church of Christ.

Carol, daughter of the late Fred Lawrence and Flossie May (Corbin) Barker, was born on the family farm four miles east of Waynoka on February 20, 1933. Carol passed from this life on April 15, 2021, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years, 1 month, and 23 days.

Carol attended elementary School at Pleasant Hill, east of Waynoka, before transferring to Waynoka High School. Carol enjoyed her time at Waynoka High School with her many friends and activities. Carol was honored to represent Waynoka High School as band queen and loved marching with the band at various events. She was also chosen as a Girls State delegate and treasured the memories and experiences this opportunity provided. Carol met the love of her life, Elvin Dee King, while in high school. Carol was determined to attend college. She told her daddy, "Save your money because I'm going to college." She graduated from Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma, in 1954, completing her degree in three years. In 1973, the same year E. D. graduated high school, Carol received her master's degree in education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Carol married her high school sweetheart, Elvin Dee King, May 26th, 1953, at the Springdale Church of Christ east of Waynoka. Carol and Elvin spent the majority of their married life in Waynoka where she supported Elvin's career as a railroader and a rancher. They had two sons, Elvin Dee (E. D.) in 1954, and Kent Thomas in 1960. In 1969, Carol and Elvin welcomed Deborah Marie King from Maud Carpenter Children's Home into the family. Carol was a devoted mother to her children and supported them in their many events and activities.

In 1960, Waynoka Public Schools did not offer a kindergarten class, so Carol put her education to work and opened a private kindergarten to about 15 eager students. She was a gifted and creative teacher, teaching not only kindergarten, but also second and sixth grades. After 30 years of teaching, she retired in 1990.

Carol was a gifted artist, and many of her students remember her talent of incorporating the arts into her curriculum. Her students enjoyed May Day celebrations complete with a May pole dance, and Chinese tea ceremonies. She even taught her students to crochet! Carol said that not only was crocheting a wonderful art form, it also kept her students busy and focused during field trip bus rides and music program practices. On many occasions, Carol hosted her students in her home for their annual class Christmas party, serving homemade treats and using her finest serving pieces. She wanted her students to feel special.

Carol's love of history permeated to her students, especially the history of Waynoka. In 1988, five of Carol's students won the State History Day contest for Oklahoma and had the honor of participating in National History Day in Washington, D.C. Carol and Elvin loved escorting her students on their adventure in Washington, D.C., and introducing them to our nation's capital. She said it was one of the highlights of her career.

Carol was an excellent hostess. She enjoyed hosting many holiday meals and backyard barbecues for family and friends. Carol and Elvin loved to entertain. As a member of the Church of Christ, Carol taught Bible classes and hosted youth activities in her home. Carol enjoyed taking neighborhood children to Bible class and sponsoring and driving the youth group to youth rallies, skating parties and church camps throughout the area. Carol was always willing to serve the church in any way she could.

Carol was one of the founding members of the Waynoka En Avant Sorosis Club and the Waynoka Historical Society. She was directly involved in the preservation of the Santa Fe Depot and Harvey House, as well as various other community projects. She served on the board of the Northwestern Treatment Center. She was a member of the Oklahoma Historical Preservation Society, Retired Teachers of Oklahoma, and both the Waynoka and Northwestern Alumni Associations.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Flossie (Corbin) Barker; her mother and father in-law, Ivan and Lillie Mae (Freeman) King; her brother, Teddie Gene Barker; her sisters-in-law, Jean Barker and Rosemary Inman; her brothers-in-law, Rex Olson, Gerald Dean Inman, and Charles King; and her niece Lori (King) Brown.

Carol is survived by her sister, Sandra (Barker) Olson, her sister-in-law, Joyce King, her children, E. D. and Susan King, Dr. Kent and Lydia King, and Jerry and Deborah Bradford and family; her grandchildren, Dr. Kody and Ariel King, Major Kasey and Ashley King, Kendra (King) Lahmeyer and husband Jackson, Katie (King) Gustafson and husband Brody, Kellen King, Dr. Kaleb and Megan King, and Zabrian and Samantha King; great grandchildren, Stella, Melody and Rylan King, Sadie and Karis King, Ashton Mobley, Blitz Hughes, Hannah, Eva and Laken Lahmeyer, Park and Guy Gustafson, Sophia Sutton, Luna and Leilani King, numerous nieces, nephews and family members, and her beloved daughter-in-love, Abby King.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Carpenter Place Children's Home at 1501 N. Meridian Ave., Wichita Kansas 67203, or Children of the King in care of Chisholm Trail Church of Christ at 3204 W. Beech, Duncan, OK 73533 or Waynoka Historical Society at P.O. Box 193 or at 1383 Cleveland St., Waynoka, Oklahoma, 73860.

 

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