Oletha King

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Burns Funeral Home
725 N. Panther Ave
Yellville, AR  72687
Sunday, July 7, 2019
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Roller-Burns Funeral Home Chapel
725 N. Panther Ave
Yellville, AR  72687
Monday, July 8, 2019
10:00 am
Cemetery
Georges Creek Cemetery
Yellville, AR  72687
Memorial Contributions
Georges Creek Cemetery
c/o Nancy Bergeron, 2261 MC 4005
Yellville, AR  72687

Oletha King

of Yellville, DC

December 7, 1925 - July 4, 2019

Oletha Cheek was born on December 7, 1925 in the Snow, Arkansas area, to Deroose and Hester (Dodd) Cheek. Oletha's family farmed their land, raising many vegetables but tomatoes were a staple that she spoke about quite often. She also spoke of her father taking a wagon load of wheat to the mill at Pyatt to be ground. About the age of four her parents decided to move to Oklahoma and try making a life for their family there. Traveling by covered wagon the trip took about a week, as best that Oletha could remember. After approximately 18 months they decided to move back. An uncle, who had a truck, helped them move back. As they were coming through the hills around Eureka Springs there was an accident, the truck went over the side of a hill. Oletha, and her brothers and sisters, along with the wood cook stove were in the back of the truck. Everyone was fine and after several hours they were able to get the truck back on the road. Oletha attended school at Snow/Pyatt until the 8th grade at which time she had to assist the family. She often spoke of days at the school and the fun they had, as children do, but it was drastically different from today's "fun" that children have.
Oletha married Oval King on September 5, 1941 about 20 miles north of Yellville at the home of Deroose and Hester Cheek. The ceremony was performed by Neal Dodd (Oletha's uncle). Oletha and Oval had a son in June of 1942, Rethel. Oletha's family moved several times, they lived in the Kansas City area where Oletha worked at a department store and for Sunshine Biscuit Company, they lived in the Parson Kansas area for a short time, they also lived in the Forsyth area of Missouri as brush was being cleared for Bull Shoals Lake, they lived in Eastern Arkansas where they picked cotton in order to make a living. They moved back to the Peel area and lived there and in the Pyatt area before settling where they made a home in the Welcome Ridge area. August 16, 1967 Oletha had another son, Gene.
Oletha worked for Capital Mercury Shirt Corp at the Mar-Bax facility in Gassville Ar for 19 years where she supervised several departments but the main one was "side seam" She then worked for LaBarge Electornics for 12 years where she retired from, as a "In Process Quality Control Inspector" After a year, or so, of retirement she returned to work for White River Industries as a sewing machine operator she retired again after 5 years. She often said, even two years ago that if she was able to work she would be working again because she missed the people.
Oletha was a constant gardener and canner, which came from a place of necessity. While growing up most of the food consumed was produced on the farm and Oletha had it instilled to use everything that she possibly could of the items from the garden and from animals. Oletha continued to can into her late 80's. Oletha was encouraged to enter her canned goods in the fair, which she did and excelled at. When the extension office announced that there would be a "high point" winner for the home economics area Olethat did not think anything of it. The first year of the High point winner started Oletha won, she went on to win 9 of the first 10 years the award was available. Part of what Oletha did to win was her canned goods but it was also her baked goods and her sewing ability. Again born of necessity, when younger, Oletha made several quilts to stay warm during the cold winters. She went on to make enter quilts in the fair and to sell them later on. We would not consider trying to calculate the miles of fabric and thread that she has used. Oletha was surprised that people would pay for her quilts. She gave quilts to her family members for Christmas several years, her sons, plus grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It was to the point that when everyone saw the big bags they knew there was a quilt for them. I would venture to say that she gave away 30-40 quilts over the years and sold 20-30. One thing that made her quits so special was that many were sewing and quilted on her fingers, it was later on that because of arthritis she had to use a sewing machine.
Oletha was a member of Welcome Ridge Community Church, which her parents helped start the church. Oletha was baptized on September 23, 2001 by Kevin Rogers, in the Pot Shoals area of Bull Shoals Lake. She often said that she enjoyed church but would not mind if, instead of preaching, they spent the entire time singing hymns. She also was active in the Red Hat society, she was a charter member of Pine Mountain Fire Department in which she made sausage gravy for the annual Pancake Breakfast, she did this for many years until her health would not allow her. She would find a way to help with the fire department functions, after her health failed she would still work the door, taking money and giving a conversation. She would make sure, if she did not recognize the face, to find out if the person was new to the community and if so start telling the person about everything coming up. She tried to make strangers feel welcome and comfortable. She would rally people, if someone needed help, to aid the people that needed it from food for a funeral situation or demolition of a building.
Oletha had three grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren all of whom she loved very much. It was not unusual to find her under a quilt with two or three kids watching cartoons while babysitting.
Oletha saw many things in her life: travel in a covered wagon, automobile, and in her 70's traveling by jet airplane. She saw the telephone, party lines, and cell phone (which she was adept at using).
Oletha passed at home on July 4, 2019. Oletha was preceded in death by her mother and father, two sisters, two brothers, and her husband Oval King.
She is survived by two sons, Rethel (Charlotte) King of Harrison, Gene King of Yellville, three grand children, Sherry (Greg) Parks, James (Lori) Reed, and Amy McBee, six great grand children, Evan Billings, Adam Billings, Brady Billings, Sarah Parks, Jim Reed, and Jordan Reed.
Visitation will be 3:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Roller-Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas.
Funeral service will be 10:00 am Monday, July 8, 2019 at Roller-Burns Funeral Home Chapel in Yellville with Bro. Howard Gene Saylors officiating.
Interment will follow at Georges Creek Cemetery near Yellville.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Cheek,Greg Parks, James Reed, Mike King, Evan Billings, Adam Billings, Brady Billings, and Jim Reed.
Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond King, Ron King, and Dr. Tom Leslie.

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7 Condolence(s)
Pat Redding
Waxahachie, TX
Liked
Thursday, August 1, 2019

My husband Jimmy and I met Oletha when we moved to Arkansas! We always saw her at community chili suppers or potlucks! We always enjoyed our visits and when we moved back to Texas she was gracious enough to give us a handmade quilt with her “ tag” inside! I think of this sweet lady as I make my bed and remember her sweet face! My condolences to her family!

Jimmie helms
Yakima, WA
Liked
Saturday, July 6, 2019

I’m sorry for your loss

Jimmie helms
Yakima, WA
Liked
Saturday, July 6, 2019

I’m sorry for your loss

Patricia Jones
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Saturday, July 6, 2019

Today's obituary in the Baxter Bulletin captured the essence of this gentlewoman. Some years ago, we purchased land adjacent to the King property on Welcome Ridge Road. They were our neighbors. We never built on the land but visited the Kings from time to time as we checked on the property. Oletha was always hospitable and gracious. Oval showed us around his property and talked of capturing wild turkeys and growing a garden. My husband and I laughed to see all the old vehicles he simply towed off on the land to rust as he bought a new one. Both of them were Americans from a different time.

Ashley (Cheek) Schulz
Fayetteville, AR
Liked
Saturday, July 6, 2019

Aunt Pete was like another built in granny for me growing up. I will treasure the quilts made for my kids. Gene I will be there with you in spirit.

Hal and Elaine Sailor
Flippin, AR
Liked
Friday, July 5, 2019

Sending our deepest sympathy to all the family members. Hal and I both have fond memories of Oletha. RIP Oletha.

Lou Annis Kelley
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Friday, July 5, 2019

My heartfelt sympathy for the family.