Thomas C King

To God be the Glory! I lived a God fearing life full of love from my wife and family. I was the last surviving child of Martha and Baylis King who both preceded me in death. I came from good stock and humble beginnings. I was born in Old Memphis, Alabama on April 29, 1929. In my younger days, I was known as Lil Banner. I had major skills on the baseball field. There was not a right fielder better than me! Only if there was social media back then! As a young man I became the father to a baby girl named Dorothy. I was a traveling man. I moved to the Delta, where I met and fell in love with Betsy Harris (who preceded me in death). We wed and to our union our son Harvey was born. Later, my family and I relocated to Memphis TN, and then Chicago became blessed with my presence. Sharecropping in the south taught me how to be a hard worker. So when I arrived in Chicago, I worked several labor jobs. I gained employment at Admir Plating, and later joined the team at Arlington Hotel. Even after retirement, I would exercise and become “The King of Collecting Cans.” You would see me walking through the neighborhood picking up cans on my way to visit my family. As a result of my interactions with people in the neighborhood, I became Uncle Tommy to everyone. Family was extremely important to me, but God! I was baptized in the early 1980’s; and joined New Light Evangelical Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor S.L. Gholar. I was a faithful usher. My dedication earned me certificates and a plague for 25 years of service. I later joined New Memorial Baptist church under the leadership of Pastor Roosevelt Walker II; and continued using my talent as an usher until my health began to fail me. As the scripture Proverbs 18:22 reads, Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. I met and married my “babee” Tina Marie Parker. She was there for me during my golden years. My eyes would light up and my smile widened when I saw her face. I loved her until the end of time. As you see life has been good to me, “But I know I’ve been changed cus the Angels in Heaven done signed my name.” I have joined my parents Martha and Baylis King, all of my siblings: Annie, John, Willie, Lucy, James, Robert Lee, Joe, Bayless, and the baby girl Clara. Clara held a special place in my heart. We were two peas in a pod. I got the opportunity to enjoy the legacy that we leave behind. My devoted wife Tina Marie; my daughter, Dorothy McCoy of Macon MS; son, Harvey King of Chicago; eight grandkids, seven greatgrandkids, and host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, great-great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Thomas C King

April 29, 1929 - April 4, 2023