Barbourville, Ky. – Earnest Howard King, 91, of Bailey Switch, Kentucky passed away surrounded by loving family on April 18, 2023. Earnest was the son of Dempsey King and Alice Hendrickson King, born to them on October 3, 1931, in Knox County, Kentucky.
Earnest will forever be remembered for his strong work ethic, love of family, and faith. He was a member of Springboro Baptist Church. In 1957 he united in marriage to Sue Ann Davis King and together they raised three children: Anthony, Michelle, and Janelle. Earnest loved working. He was employed by General Motors in Moraine, Ohio for 30 years. While working and living in Ohio, Earnest started King Mining in Kentucky, now King Mining and Equipment Company, and continued working there after retiring from the auto industry and returning home to his Kentucky roots. In his spare time, Earnest enjoyed visiting area flea markets looking for bargains and watching RFD-TV with his children and grandchildren.
Left behind to mourn his passing is his wife of 65 years Sue Ann Davis King, daughters Michelle Griffen (Cliff), and Janelle McWilliams (Michael), brother Allen King, sisters Mildred Napier, Faye Elliott, and Geraldine Scalf. Four grandchildren Jessica King, Jamie McWilliams-Miller (Austin), Sarah McWilliams (Josh Hildebrand), and Zoey McWilliams; two great grandchildren Lily Pearl and Dyllon Ross; three step grandchildren Megan Hoskins (Brandon), Ben Griffen (Desiree), and Cliff Griffen (Kaely); and seven step great grandchildren Ethan, Jacob, and Luke Hoskins, Brody, Harrison, and Carter Griffen, and Olivia Griffen also survive Earnest and will miss him dearly. In addition to his parents, Dempsey and Alice Hendrickson King, and his step father John Patterson, Earnest was preceded in death by his son Anthony King, Willie Denver Isles, Reba Mays, Rena Phipps, and in-laws Michael, Frank, Tommy, Buddy, Hazel and Erma.
The King family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home, Friday, April 21, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Rick Partin will officiate with assistance by Mr. King’s son-in-law Michael McWilliams. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Davis Cemetery at Davis Bend Community, Knox County, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are Mark Moran, Greg Brown, Terry Garland, Josh Hildebrand, Austin Miller, and Tommy Scalf. Honorary Casket Bearers are Mary Garland, his caregivers Denise, Kathy, Kristen, and Jeannie, Bluegrass Care Navigators, and past and present customers and friends of King Mining and Equipment Company.
In lieu of flowers, the family request with gratitude, that donations be made to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund, 152 Brandon Lane, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906, in memory of Earnest Howard King.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Earnest Howard King.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Earnest Howard King.
