Ella King

Sister Ella King was born September 23, 1912, to the late Mr. Johnny Benjamin and Mrs. Lula Fletcher in Uniontown, AL. She moved to Bessemer, AL in 1923. She confessed hope in Christ and joined the New Bethlehem Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. W. L. Rhone. She served there as a faithful member until her health failed. She was also a nurse who helped cared for her mother, daughter and sister. Ella King lived a long and productive life. She graduated from night School at Dunbar High and completed her nursing studies at Abrams High School in the 1950's. She was a nurse at Bessemer General Hospital for many years. She was an active and faithful member of the Dunbar-Abrams Alumni Association, Inc. Mrs. King was a member of the DAV Women's Auxiliary and the Carver Community Action Committee. She was one of the longest serving members of the Bessemer Voters League. She enjoyed sharing stories of the African American Struggles to get the right to vote. (She said they took classes at night to learn how to register and vote). One of the brightest moments in her life was when she went to the National Guard Armory to cast her vote for President Barack Obama. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter King; daughter; Walta Jean McLean, mother; Lula Bennett, father; Johnny Benjamin; sisters: Savannah Rainey, Rebecca Melton, Bessie D. White, Margaret Benjamin, brothers: John James, Ozell and Richard Von Benjamin; and a great-grand niece, Ashley Dorden. On Friday morning, October 7, 2011 at 3:40 am she expired at the Fairview Nursing Home. She leaves to cherish her memory: grandson; Kevin (Robin) McLean; great grand children: Kevin Jr, Jordon and Jada McLean; great great-grandchild: Aaleyah Gionna McLean; four sisters: Mrs. Leila Leshoure, Fairview Nursing Home, Birmingham, AL, Mrs. Ethel L. Abraham, Uniontown, AL, Mrs. Reola B. Lane, Cincinnati, OH and Mrs. Margaret (Clay) Anderson; a caring nephew: Craig S. Edwards, Bessemer, AL; great nieces: Jennifer (Benjamin) Moore and Yolanda (Harold) Williams; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.