In Loving Memory Of Shirley King

Shirley King passed away on February 14, 2025 at Empowering Adult Family Home in Spokane, Washington, where she had resided for nearly five years.

She was born on December 1, 1935 to Raymond Lawrence and Edna (Marker) Lawrence in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.

In her childhood years she lived in various places including Whitefish, Montana; Whidby Island, Washington; and Chewelah, Washington, where she attended Jenkins High School, graduating in 1953.

While attending Jenkins High School she met the love of her life, Kenneth King. They were married on September 5, 1953. Ken and Shirley moved to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where Ken was stationed in the U.S. Army. While in Ft. Lewis, Shirley gave birth to their first son, George, in 1955.

They returned to Chewelah and their family grew, with the addition of a daughter, Jackie in 1958 and twins, Jeff and Jan in 1964.

Shirley spent years as a homemaker, raising her children, until the death of her husband, Kenneth, in 1972, at which time she started working several part-time jobs and enrolled in Spokane Community College to further her education and provide for her family. She was hired by the Chewelah Public Library in 1979, and ultimately was promoted to Head Librarian. During her career, she wrote many grant applications to obtain funding for the Library and continued working there until her retirement in 1997.

Shirley loved working in her yard. She planted a large garden every year until she had a large shop built, which replaced her garden space. She was also very proud of her tulip collection, daffodils, peonies and poppies, anxiously awaiting their blooms each spring. She loved to plant red, white, and blue petunias in every planter available. She continued to mow her own lawn into her late seventies.

Shirley loved to take her grandchildren camping at Brown's Lake and she loved to travel. She vacationed in Hawaii with her grandson, Sean, cruised to Alaska with her granddaughter, Alisha; and cruised the Caribbean with her daughters, Jackie and Jan and their families.

Shirley was a voracious reader and loved to knit anything and everything from elaborate hunting and ski sweaters, hats, and mittens, to socks and scarves.

She had a special place in her heart for her beloved dogs, who were loyal companions throughout the decades.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Edna Lawrence; husband, Kenneth King, and son, George King.

She is survived by her daughter Jackie (Roy) Barnard, of Valley, Washington; daughter Jan (Gary) Putnam of Valley, Washington; and son Jeff (Phyllis) King of Chewelah, Washington.

She is also survived by five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Kevin King (Spokane, Washington); Alisha King (Spokane, Washington); Ken King (Spokane, Washington); Sean Foster (Las Vegas, Nevada); Tim King (Wenatchee, Washington); Brandon Sly (Spokane, Washington) and Ashley Hess (Colbert, Washington) and numerous great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring, when her favorite flowers are in bloom.

Memorial contributions can be made in Shirley's honor to the Chewelah Public Library or Becky's Best Buddies, 2323 A Burnt Valley Road, Chewelah, Washington 99109.