Honey Grove, Texas -- Ruth Ann Thompson King, 83, passed away in her home the morning of December 20, 2025. She was surrounded by loved ones and listening to one of her favorite hymns, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," at the time of her death.

Born April 16, 1942, in Honey Grove, Texas, she was the beloved only child of Scott and Mayola Thompson. It was due to their love for her that she enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the East Texas countryside.

Ruth was the wife of Jack W. King. They lived all but two of their many years together in Forest Hill, Texas. The only exceptions to this include two years in the 1960s. One year was spent in North Kansas City, Missouri and another in Dallas, Texas. Just as her parents had been blessed with an only daughter, so too were the Kings blessed with the birth of Emily Suzanne King Clark in 1968.

She was the valedictorian of West Lamar High School, Paris Junior College and East Texas State University. She majored in English and received a Learning Disabilities Certificate. From then on, she was a career educator. She was a high school English teacher for several years before she began to teach students with learning disabilities. She retired with 34 years of experience in the Paris Independent School District.

Mrs. King was a lifelong member of the Forest Hill United Methodist Church. She loved the church and its congregation and was the acting pianist for nearly two decades. She was also a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Lamar Delta Retired Teachers Association.

Ruth was an avid reader, notorious for spoiling the ending of her books before going back to the beginning. She also loved to help others anytime that she could. She often went the extra mile to check on and support neighbors and community members. However, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and loved ones. Ruth’s family was her joy. She loved when her family came to her home for holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving or simply for vacation. When she was with both her immediate and extended family, she was complete.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Scott and Mayola Thompson, her husband, Jack King, and her son-in-law, Jerry Dewayne Clark. She is survived by her daughter, Emily Suzanne King Clark, and her granddaughter, Codi Brooke Clark. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and several friends.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor be made to either the Forest Hill United Methodist Church in care of Richard and Gina Gadberry or the Forest Hill Cemetery Association in care of Vickie Foster.

A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hill United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers: Seth Rogers, Nathan Rogers, Kason Fortner, Brad Gifford, Kenyon Fortner, Kyson Fortner, Jesse Fortner, and Kenny Colgan. Honorary Pallbearers: Rodney Rogers, Mike Ford, Ronnie Robbins, Earl Fortner, Bob Rast, and Kyle Kellams.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com