Ruth Cassandra (Parsons) King

Ruth King, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, at the age of 103, with family members close by, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 9th at her home of many years in Houston, Texas. 2025

She was born Ruth Cassandra Parsons on December 17, 1921 in Jasonville, Indiana to Frank and Hulda Parsons, and later at the age of eight grew up in Dugger, Indiana with her 2 sisters, Hazel and Helen. Ruth, the middle child, was assertive and outspoken, but also blessed with a warm and cheerful personality.   

Ruth was popular in high school, energetic and enthusiastic about whatever she did, active in the school drama club and, loving basketball, captain of the cheerleaders. She aspired to be an actress and, following graduation, spent 2 years at Indiana University studying speech and dramatic arts. Her time there was ended, however, by the advent of the Second World War. Her high school sweetheart, Everett L “Lee” King, had been drafted, and so she and Lee decided to marry quickly in order to be together as much as possible before he left. They spent weeks traveling by train to various bases until he finally departed for Europe.

Upon Lee’s return after the war, Ruth’s travels continued. Lee was often promoted and transferred in his work as a civil engineer, and the family, which now included a son and daughter, moved often in the coming years. Ruth devoted herself completely and tirelessly to her family and to supporting Lee in his career. After studying at a business college, she worked for a time as a private secretary but felt unfulfilled and later rededicated herself to her home and family, and, as always, whatever new circumstances were presented to her in their travels over the years, Ruth was the household’s confident, stabilizing anchor, keeping everything organized and functioning smoothly, skillfully maintaining a sense of continuity and security in each new challenging location and life situation.   

Ruth was an avid reader - especially of mystery novels - but also enjoyed reading to her children - mainly stories from the Bible. One of her favorite characters was Ruth, and from time to time she would quote the verse “Whither thou goest I will go”, referring to her life with Lee and their many moves over the years. 

Ruth always stayed busy with knitting, some gardening and scrupulously keeping her home in order, but perhaps her most valuable activity and contribution was compiling a fairly comprehensive record of her family’s history through her constant picture-taking and artful assembly of many hand-crafted photo albums which, over the years, became increasingly rich, creative, pictorial chronicles of the lives of her family and friends. Through the making of these books, her artistic talent, which had always been apparent, was beautifully expressed.  Throughout her long life, Ruth was always an inspiring nurturer who instinctively stood up for her family members, defending them against all attacks and slights, real or imagined, and her love for them is abundantly clear in these pictorial legacy records which are treasured by her family. She will always be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know her, for her personal strength and integrity, and her sincerity, loyalty, and love for life.

She is survived by her two children, Linda (William) Birkline, and Joel (Jae Hwa) King, grandson, Matthew (Jennifer) Birkline, great-grandson, Caleb Birkline and two step great-grandchildren, Cori Jo Richmond and Clay Oakes.

Lee had preceded her in passing many years before, also in Houston, Texas, at that same final home in their life’s journey together.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, March17, 2025 at Newkirk's Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Birkline officiating. Burial in the Dugger Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00AM until 1:00PM Monday, March 17, 2025.

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