HAZEL KING

PUXICO -- Hazel Leona King, 88, of Puxico, died Saturday, April 27, 1996, at Puxico Nursing Center.

She was born June 8, 1907, in Carmi, Ill., daughter of Clyde and Bertie Shipley Phelps. She and Gail W. King were married Jan. 31, 1924, at Peach Orchard. He died Jan. 5, 1974.

Formerly of Sikeston, she had lived in the Puxico and Poplar Bluff areas the past 40 years. The Kings farmed near Sikeston and Puxico, she had operated a grocery store at Aquilla, owned and operated the Hickory House Restaurant in Malden several years, and operated other restaurants in the Poplar Bluff and Dexter areas. She was a member of Big Opening Baptist Church near Sikeston.

Survivors include three sons, Wilfred "Bill" King of Puxico, Gail King Jr. of Jackson, Don King of Bellflower; two daughters, Bernice Allen of Clever, Mildred Sandage of Bloomfield; 24 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, a brother and sister.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico from 6-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ray Placher officiating. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery.