Mary Etta King

Our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom has chosen to relieve Sister Mary Etta Simmons King, from this temporal body on July 21, 2024. As we humbly bow in prayer and submission to the sovereignty of our loving and compassionate God, we come together to celebrate this awesome woman of God. 

 Mary Etta Simmons was born in Lee County, Texas, on August 26th, 1934. She was the second oldest of ten children born to Hester and Joseph Simmons. Mary Etta was, affectionately called "Douchie” had a strong Christian foundation, which led her to accept Christ at an early age. 

Mary Etta was united in Holy Matrimony to Jesse King, and God entrusted in their care three boys, Jesse Jr., Charles, and Joe.

 Mary Etta pronounced "Mayretta", loved the Lord, her family, her church, and the community. She witnessed many changes to the county as Elgin has grown. She had a great sister bonding with Hester. The two of them became best of friends as they aged gracefully together. Mary loved the Lord and devoted her life to being a disciple of Christ. On any given Sunday, you could catch her in service praising the Lord either in the choir or on the Mission Board. She was known to be a sharp dresser. She loved suits with “bling”, high-fashion hats, and her “Mr. Seymour” shoes. Sister King poured her energy into Pleasant Bethany Baptist Church for many years. Later, she continued her kingdom assignment with the Strait Gate Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Don Cyphers, where she was a Charter Member. The church presented her with the ‘Esther Award’ in 2011.

 Mary was a State of Texas retiree, having served at Travis State School for twenty-seven years. She loved to exercise and could be seen walking the streets of Elgin, swinging her stick and singing one of those ‘old 100 hymns’. She walked so steadily that few walked with her. As her granddaughter became a young lady, Lakeisha would stretch those legs and keep pace with her. Mary volunteered at the Lion’s Club and was a regular visitor at the Elgin Nursing Home. 

As the Gates of Heaven open, Mary Etta will join her husband, Jesse King Sr., her sons, Charles and Jesse, Jr., her parents, her siblings, Eddie Mae Simmons Black, Mamie Simmons Lewis, Jorene Simmons Nash, Lillian Simmons Suggs, Joseph Simmons, Jr., Elijah Simmons, and Ruthie Mae Gibson.

Mary Etta leaves to share and to celebrate her homecoming her son, Joe King; daughter-in-law, Barbara King; two grandchildren, LaKeisha King-James and her husband, Glynn James, and Bryan King; and great-grandchildren Kyrah, Braylon, Raeden, and Cadence; her best friend and sister, Hester Reese, and brother, Reverend Willie Moses Simmons and his wife, Florence Simmons. She also leaves behind four generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins, including the Strait Gate Church family.

She will lie in state at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, August 2nd from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM. A Home-Going Celebration will be conducted at Elgin Funeral Home, under the auspices of Strait Gate Fellowship Baptist Church of Elgin, Saturday, August 3rd at 11:00 AM with Pastor Don G. Cyphers presiding. Interment will follow at Littig Cemetery.