Viola Imogene King

Viola Imogene King was born in Monroe County on May 12, 1917 during World War 1. She was the first of seven children born to Jessie and Fannie (May) Jones in the family Victorian homestead on Simpson Chapel Road. She was a loving wife, mother, grandparent and lifelong member of Simpson Chapel United Methodist Church. The church is built on land donated from the original Jones’ family farm and the family was instrumental in the building of the church. She was a true lover of history, politics and a supporter of the Democratic Party, FDR, Truman and Hillary Clinton. Like most members of the Greatest Generation, she experienced the Great Depression and valued living modestly, working hard and avoiding waste. She possessed tireless energy, patience and a volunteering spirit. Her experience of growing up on a farm honed her skills as a gardener with a green thumb. She was an avid letter writer, bird lover and planner/hostess of family parties well into her late 80’s. Mrs. King had a quick wit, sense of humor and a sharp mind for names, dates, ages and facts even until her passing at age 98. She was often interviewed for oral history projects and recently assisted the writers of the Monroe County One Room Schoolhouse Project. Mrs. King was a 1935 graduate of Bloomington High School. She married Arthur E. King on June 21, 1936. The Kings were married for 67 years until his passing in 2004 at age 94. She is survived by one daughter Jane Ann Winders (Dennis) of Spencer, three grandsons Jeffrey Franklin (Carl Horton) Anthony Franklin (Quynh Nguyen) and Brett Franklin (Cheryl) all of Bloomington; three great-grandchildren Kyle Franklin, Ashton Franklin and Evan Franklin; and a sister Donna Cowan and a brother-in-law Eugene Baugh, both of Bloomington. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur E. King, son-in-law Doyle Franklin and granddaughter Kimberly J. Franklin in addition to her sisters Eva (Wayne) Prather, Betty (William) Craig, Jessie Jones, Peggy (Eugene) Baugh and brother Winchell (Lois) Jones. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Simpson Chapel United Methodist Church, 505 W. Simpson Chapel Road, Bloomington. Family will receive friends Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Mrs. King had a legacy of serving her community, family and neighbors and has requested donations be made to the Simpson Chapel Cemetery Fund, 505 W Simpson Chapel Road, Bloomington, IN 47404 in lieu of flowers. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, have been entrusted with arrangements. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org

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Viola Imogene King

May 12, 1917 - January 11, 2016