Alta Laverne King

Alta Laverne King

Alta Lavern Brookshire King was born in Roff, Oklahoma, to Earl and Katie Brookshire, October 14, 1925. She grew up with sisters June, Barbara and Earlene, working hard as cotton-chopper, cow-milker, livestock-tender and cook. Having no brothers, all the sisters learned both the duties of field hands and homemakers.

Alta graduated from Roff High School then began to work in Ada, for a while at Montgomery Ward. In 1950 she married A. B. King. They lived first in Roff, then Ardmore, then built a home and settled in Stonewall, Oklahoma. This union was blessed with three children, whom Alta taught to work hard alongside her, gardening and picking and preserving and cooking.

Alta also worked alongside A.B. as substitute rural-letter carrier with United Postal Service for a number of years, taking this route full time after A.B. retired. The postal system’s slogan, “…rain or snow…” is true, for A.B. and Alta went no matter the weather, sometimes even on Christmas Day to deliver packages that may have been gifts.

Alta was active in County Extension Homemakers, quilting, and fishing with A.B. Many spring break seasons found them on the banks of Lake Eufaula with grandchildren, teaching them the discipline of patience.

Always supportive of her children’s activities, she sewed costumes for school plays, attended hundreds of piano and voice recitals, and sat on hard benches at baseball and basketball games. She also made sure to check those report cards, insisting schoolwork should be done on time. Family was Alta’s focus her entire life. Many Sunday lunches were shared with her sisters’ families at “Grandma and Grandpa Brookshire’s”. Family meals at home were around the table, and what was presented was what was TO BE eaten! No substitutes, even for liver and onions.

Alta was baptized August, 1947, in Roff, OK. As a member of First Baptist Church, Stonewall, worship was central and she made sure everyone attended regularly. She was active in Sunday school all her life, sang in the choir for many years, glued macaroni boxes teaching VBS, and served as cook and sponsor at Falls Creek. She lived the truth of the Word, caring for her aging parents, caring for neighbors, and setting the example of Godly living before her children. Her devotion to reading the Word continued until her last days. This legacy of devotion to the Lord is evident in her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Alta moved to Edmond in 2002, residing at Tealridge Retirement Community, and at The Veraden Assisted Living Center. She was a member of Quail Springs Baptist Church, Friendship Sunday school class.

Alta was preceded in death by her husband, A.B. King, and sisters June Brinlee and Earlene Leighton. She is survived by children; Dwight King (Stonewall, OK) and his wife Vickie, Carol Glasgow (Tulsa, OK) and her husband, Dale, Aleta Biddy (Edmond, OK) and her husband, Brad; grandchildren, Craig King (Midland, TX), wife Addy; Chad King (Ada, OK), wife Jessica, Kyle Denny (Collinsville, OK), wife Ashley; Wade Denny (Sapulpa, OK) wife Janie, Sarah Biddy (Oklahoma City, OK); Michael Biddy (Oklahoma City, OK), Kathleen Handley (San Diego, CA), husband, Robert; Melinda VanDyke (New Orleans, LA), husband, David; great grandchildren, Kennedy King, Carley King, Claire King, Titus King, Sam King, Mac King, Jack King, Peyton Denny, Luke Denny, Esther Handley, sister, Barbara Harrison (Midwest City, OK) and a number of nieces and nephews.

Public visitation will be held Monday, March 16, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City with interment at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Cemetery in Stonewall, OK.