Matriarch remembered by family — legacy lives on
Katie Bell King (1911-2011)

Katie Bell King
Katie Bell King

Mother Katie Bell King, the matriarch of her family, went to meet the Heavenly Father on July 29, 2011 at 100 years old. She was preceded in death by two children, Edward Givens, Jr. and Dorothy Brewer.

She was born on February 27, 1911 to the late Sam Thompson and Dovie Sneed in Nashville Tennessee and received her education in the public schools in Davidson County.

Mrs. Katie Bell (as she was fondly called by friends) was a lifelong member of Foster Chapel Baptist Church where she was the oldest member and the only member who lived to be 100. At Foster Chapel she organized the church’s annual Birthday Rally in the 1940s, which continues today. She also helped to organize the Junior Usher’s Ministry in the 1960s. She was a member of the Mother’s Ministry at the time of her ‘home going.’

Mrs. Katie Bell was known for her delicious homemade ice cream, her egg pies and her popping hot dinner rolls. On many Sundays there would always be someone stopping by her house looking for some egg pie and rolls.

She was a seamstress and could make anything from baby clothes to men suits. She was a meek and humble lady who had the respect of everyone around her.

‘Mu’Dear’ (as she was called by her family) is survived by two daughters, Christine Givens and Cliffordean Woods; a niece, Dr. Brenda King; seven grandchildren; several great and great great grandchildren; and other family members who survive and are keeping her memories alive. Her family states “there’s not a day that we don’t talk about Mu’Dear or laugh at something funny that she would say.” One of her funny saying was: “The rabbit said to trust no man because a man may come down the street with a dog in his pocket.”

Her memory will continue to live on in our lives and we thank God for giving us 100 years to be with a lady of grace and charisma.

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