Hattie Pearl King

On Monday, October 18, 1937, a baby girl born in the red clay state of Alabama and considered a  bundle of joy to her family was named Hattie Pearl.

In 1943, the family moved from Coy, “across the river” to Lower Peach Tree, Alabama where Hattie and her brother Silas (deceased) attended Lower Peach Tree Community School. Upon graduation Hattie’s family sacrificed for her to obtain her dream of becoming a nurse.

In 1956, Hattie moved to Selma, Alabama to attend Good Samaritan Hospital School of Practical Nursing,  Alabama’s first renowned nursing school for “Colored“ which followed the philosophy of Booker T. Washington, founder of Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute.

In 1958,  Hattie relocated to Riverside, California and was soon employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Riverside Community Hospital. She chose to work graveyards so she could get her two sons, George and Timothy, “the center of her life” off to school, prepare dinner and ensure the completion of homework.

For almost 40 years, Hattie was gainfully employed at Riverside Community Hospital where she exemplified great pride in her duty and service as  a Pediatric and Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse. She was very efficient, conscientious and dedicated to the healing profession.

In 1976,  Hattie married Theordore King Sr. and jointly created the KING BLENDED FAMILY of six children: Four Sons: Theodore Jr., ”Teddy”, William, “Billy:” (both deceased), George and Timothy, Two Daughters: Annette and Alice, including many grandchildren and great grands. 

Hattie and her husband were community activists as Founding Board Members of the Sickle Cell Organization of the Inland Empire and Life Time Members of NAACP Riverside Chapter. Hattie

was also a long time member of the North Rubidoux Women’s Club, Chaplain of the Friends at Louis Rubidoux Library, Martin Luther KIng Club,  and the Ebony Travel Club.

In 2000, upon retirement, Hattie began planting “Seeds of Hope” for the community as an active Advisory Board Member at the Eddie Dee Smith Community Center. She also assisted with the Food Bank, Book Club, Clothes Closet, and taught weekly Friday Bible Studies.

For over 50 years, Hattie was an active member at Allen Chapel AME Church in Riverside. In 2001, Hattie received the “Woman of The Year Award”. In  2002, Hattie became a member of the Matilda Williams Missionary Society.  In 2003, she represented Allen Chapel as a Lay delegate to many church conferences including the 5th District  Lay Organization Biennial in Jacksonville, Fl, and in 2005, in Houston Texas. Every Sunday morning you could find Hattie  on the third Pew to the left. Most often after she had carried out her duties in Stewardship Ministry, Pastor’s Aide, New Members Class, or anywhere a helping hand was needed. One of the greatest highlights of Hattie’s Life was her travels to The Holy Land which she described as a Glorious Experience.

 Hattie was “Little in Stature, Mighty in Will, Feisty in Heart and a Great Servant to God!”

                        “To God Be The Glory for the Things He Has Done!”

 Love Lives

Those we Love remain with us for life.

 Love itself lives on

           and cherish memories will never fade

                                            Because a loved one has gone.

          Those we love can never be forgotten

              For as long as there are memories

         They'll live on in our hearts!

              author unknown

Those who will always cherish memories of Hattie are her Sons: George and Timothy (Barbara) their father, George Sr., Grand Daughters: Lauren, Felicia (Ryan) Travis and Rachel, Grand Sons: Alex, Dustin, Riley, Great Granddaughter, Madden, Great Grand Sons: Daniel and David. Sister In Law: Dr. Bertha Hale, Doris Griffin, Erma Ledbetter, Estella Smith, Evelyn Griffin, Demetris (Curtis) Muhannad, Byron Griffin, Wendell Griffin, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family members including  “Life Long Friends”: Nellie Dodd, Emma Yarbourgh, Vergie Smith, Joyce Major, Pearline Kennedy and “Long Time Spiritual Advisor and friend”,  Rev. Noella Austin Buchanan

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