Obituary for Reta King

Reta M. King
(November 24, 1935 – October 14, 2016)

After a long and extended illness, the Lord had called Reta Marie King home, where she will receive a new body, with no more pain, and she will be with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reta Marie Clifton King, longtime resident of Ponca City passed on October 14, 2016 at CreekSide Village with family close by, at the age of 80 years.

She was born in Neodesha, Kansas on November 24, 1935 to Clarence and Edna Clifton. She was the middle child of five siblings. Reta grew up and was educated in Chanute, Kansas.

She married Charles E. King of Humboldt, Kansas on August 16, 1952. They made their home in Chanute, and to this marriage of 64 years she gave birth to their daughter, Debra, on November 6, 1954, and adopted a son, Doyle Kenton, on November 30, 1961. The family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas where Reta and Charles surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. In April, 1959 they were baptized together at the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville. The family then moved to Arkansas City, Kansas where Reta was a very active member of the First Baptist Church. There she served as a Deaconess, taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and served on the Pastor Search Committee. She also served several years as a Camp Fire Leader.

During this time, Reta decided to pursue her education. Reta graduated from Cowley County Junior College in 1968 and the family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma. Reta enrolled at Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1970. Reta taught school for 25 years in the Newkirk School System. She enjoyed teaching all grades, first through sixth, but her greatest joy was teaching first graders to read. During her career, Reta was honored to chosen Teacher of the Year for 1983-1984. She also received the Teacher Award of Merit in 1995. During her years of teaching, Reta was a member of the Oklahoma Teacher’s Association and the National Education Association. Reta was a life-time member of the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association and an active member of Sunset Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and served on several committees, and in later years, became a member of Longwood Baptist Church.

Reta is survived by her husband, Charles; daughter, Debra Lynn North and spouse, Rodney of Blackwell, OK; son, Doyle Kenton and spouse, Gina of McAlester, OK; granddaughter, Sarah Marie Troutman and spouse, Jason of Ponca City; grandson, Nickolas Charles North and spouse, Kaci of Yukon, OK; great-granddaughters Anniston Elizabeth Troutman and Henley Ryan Troutman, and Baby North, arriving in February. Reta is also survived by one brother, Donald, of Emporia, KS and sister, Bernita, of Chanute, KS. Reta was preceded in death by one infant daughter and one infant son, her parents, and two sisters.

Funeral service will be October 18, 2016 at Cornerstone Church, 2225 N. Union, at 10:00 AM, with Pastor Donnie Hazelwood II officiating. Burial will be at IOOF Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Cornerstone Church; Humanities Hospice, 13924 Quail Pointe Dr., Ste.C, Oklahoma City, OK 73134, or a charity of your choice.

Source: Trout Funeral Home