SMYRNA – Rose Mary King, 69, of Smyrna, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, at her home, with her loving family by her side.
Born in May of 1938 in Cuyler, Rose was the third child of William H. and Mae (Chambers) Clink. An avid lover of family, Rose made it her life’s work to help with the raising of her siblings on the family farm before starting a family of her own. In 1959, she married Gerald Sullivan of Carthage. For ten years they shared a life together including five children. He predeceased her on Dec. 24, 1969. On April 3, 1971, Rose married Clarence D. “Dutch” King Sr., and for the next 36 years they would share a life together which would include four children. Although they lived on various farms throughout central New York State, they made their home in Smyrna for many years.
Rose enjoyed cooking, photography, gardening, and crocheting in her spare time. She will always be remembered for her kind spirit, generosity, and, above all, her love for her family.
Rose is survived by her husband of 36 years, Clarence D. “Dutch” King Sr., of Smyrna; by her children and their spouses: Joann McGee of Lansing, Robert Sullivan and his companion of many years, Barbara Creighton of Norwich, Sharon Sullivan of Smyrna, Ronald and Flora Sullivan of Norwich, Gene and Wendy Sullivan of Crouse, North Carolina; Clarence and Chris King, Jr., of Sherburne, Nicole Hancock of Smyrna, Rose Ann Walrod and companion Dennis Milbert of Earlville, and Shawn King and his companion, Terri Murray of Norwich; by her sisters and their husbands: Nora and Jim Ollis, North Carolina, Joan and Charlie Hopkins of Bronson, Texas, Mary Clink of Genoa, Florence Darrow of Genoa, Darlene and Ken Bickham of Lodi, and Mary Jane Warwick, Genoa; and by her brothers and their wives: John and Cay Clink of Interlaken, Gene Clink of Norwich, Donald and Ramona Clink of Glen Aubrey, and Harold and Marilyn Clink of Genoa. In addition to her husband, children, and siblings, she will also be greatly missed by 21 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her first husband, Gerald, Rose was predeceased by her sister, Virginia, and brothers Howard and Joseph.
Funeral services for Rose will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Ralph Hinman, pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Allentown Cemetery in Glen Aubrey. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday from noon until the service at 1 p.m.
Those wishing to remember Rose with a memorial contribution are asked to send it to The American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.