Jean’s Obituary Jean E. King, age 92, Joplin, was called home on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Mary Jean was born July 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of the late John Herman Ellspermann and Bessie Handshy Ellspermann. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Hyde Park High School.
She went to work for Hercules Powder Company, and while working there she met Frederick W. King, and the couple was wed in 1949. They moved to Joplin where she continued working for Hercules Powder for awhile before beginning her family. After the kids were grown, she worked for 10 years at First National Mercantile Bank (now U.S. Bank) in Joplin, from which she retired.
Jean was an active member of South Joplin Christian Church for years, where she was a former Treasurer, Secretary, President, and Deaconess. She was a member of the Women’s Fellowship, sang in the choir, and if there was an activity at the church, whether it was pie baking, or volunteering in the kitchen, she was there. She also enjoyed being a member of the Women of Kiwanis, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and Crosslines.
Jean was also very involved with her children’s activities, supporting them in music, dance, boy scouts and girl scouts, where she served as the Cookie Chairman for years. She was a room mother at Lafayette Grade School, and was known for her bread and cookies by the neighborhood children. She enjoyed sewing, playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles, and playing the piano.
Recently Jean moved her church membership to Forest Park Baptist Church in 2017. In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Frederick W. King, who died October 19, 2007, and a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betsy” King. Survivors include her four children, Janet King Johnson and husband Andy of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Frederick “Lee” King of Joplin, Nanci King Roberts and husband Randy of Dallas, Texas, and Susan King Powers and husband Mark of Joplin; six grandchildren, Lang Johnson, Drew Johnson, Austin King, Michelle Roberts, Kevin Roberts, and Erin King; seven great-grandchildren, Ella, Piper, Lily, Brooks, Ellis, Madison, and Hayden; a nephew, King Covey.
Funeral services will be Monday, March 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Brock Cummins officiating. Interment will follow in Dudman Springs Cemetery, east of Carthage. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jean’s heart was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She prayed daily for her family and friends to find that same joy and salvation she enjoyed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Compassus.
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