Ruby G. King, 94, mother of Bishop James King, president of the General Commission on UM Men, died Aug. 27, 2010.

In 1937, she began teaching at a grade school in Clay County, Ala. While teaching at Glades Elementary School in Millersville, she married James Robert King in 1938. To this union were born James, Robert and Linda Gail.
 
She taught junior high and first grade, retiring in 1977. She came out of retirement to teach children in the Head Start program and GED classes for adults.

An active churchwoman, she served as an adult Sunday school teacher, director of children and youth ministries, superintendent of the Sunday school, chairperson of the Administrative Council, chairperson of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, lay delegate to annual conference and president of UM Women.
 
She was also the organist and choir director for many years.

She served as president of both the district and Central Jurisdiction Methodist Women. After the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968, she was elected vice-president of the North Alabama Conference UM Women and served as dean of the School of Christian Mission.
 
After attending the September 2nd funeral service at Pleasant Gove UMC in Ashland, Ala., Gil Hanke, top staff executive of UM Men, said he now understands why Bishop King is such a special person.