Mrs. King Leaves 181 Descendants; Funeral Friday

Funeral services for Mrs. Clara King, 83, former Mt. Vernon resident who has 181 living descendants, will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Methodist church in Campbell, Mo.

Mrs. King died Tuesday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Viola Olds, in St. Louis, Mo.

When she observed her 80th birthday, Mrs. King had 179 living descendants, 13 children, 92 grandchildren and 74 great grandchildren. Since that time she became a great great grandmother and now has two great great grandchildren.

The body of Mrs. King will lie in state at the home of her son, Isadore King, in Campbell, Mo., until the funeral hour. After the funeral, the body will be taken to Piggot, Ark., for burial.

Mrs. King was born November 17, 1860 in Jefferson county, the daughter of John and Nancy (Laird) Brookman. On October 24, 1878 she was married to Delbert King.

To this union 15 chlidren were born, 13 of whom survive.

Two sons, Hardy and Gus, preceded her in death.

Surviviors include seven sons, John of Mt. Vernon, Orley of St. Peter, Ill., Isadore of Campbell, Mo., and Dewey, Walter, Roy and Luster of Dudley, Mo.; six daughters, Mrs. Annie Vanatta of Bluford, Mrs. Lily Minor and MRs. Laura Edmison of near Harmony, Mrs. Susie Price of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Viola King of Taylorville; and give sisters, Mrs. Rene Sechrest, Mrs. Minnie Foster, Mrs. Rose Richards, Mrs. Nancy Adcock and Mrs. Cora Haley of Mt. Vernon.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: Mar 1943
Transcribed and submitted by: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer