Betty Mae King - Eden passed peacefully at home on the morning of Saturday, April 22, 2023.
“Betty” as she was affectionately called was born on December 3, 1955, to the late Rev. Joseph Preston King and Virginia Fitts King in Demopolis, Alabama. She was the first girl of eight children born to this union.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Andrew King, Cornelius King, Frank King and Jesse King and her former husband, Rev. John Capers.
Betty confessed Christ at an early age and joined Petty’s Memorial AME Zion Church in Demopolis, Alabama under the pastorate of the late Rev. Joshua Bettis where she was active in Sunday school and other areas of the church. She always attended church and years later after relocating to Tennessee, she joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN where she remained a faithful member until her passing.
She received her primary education through Demopolis Public School System and graduated from Demopolis High School. After graduation and with her mother’s blessings and only one piece of luggage, Betty relocated to Detroit Michigan to stay with her brother Andrew and took her small fortune of $50.00. Her brother, Cornelius, who also lived in Detroit at the time, also helped her when needed. She would later move to Georgia and with the help of her brother Frank, would make her final home in Chattanooga Tn for more than 40-plus years.
She was the first girl to be born in her immediate family with six of her eight siblings being boys and "All of them catered to her every beck and call". As quiet as it’s kept, she was the first Queen B! She was our Queen B! Her two sons, Jospeh Preston and Darrell, treated her like a Queen B as well and they also catered to her beck and call. She was formerly married to Gary Eden and the union parted but they remained close friends.
She was strong in faith, filled with hope and a heart bursting with charity, and always ready to lend a helping hand. She had many sayings, but her most popular saying was, “Let me know if you need anything, I got $2 dollars.”
She was employed by Shaw Industries for more than 36 years and Walmart for more than 15 years. She received commendations of appreciation from both jobs throughout her dedicated service.
During her illness, she was not only cared for by her doctors and many other health care professionals, but she was gently and lovingly cared for and catered to by her devoted sons, Joseph Preston (JP) and Darrell and their lovely wives Angela (Angie) and Tameika. Betty will always be our Queen B and she will be greatly missed. Rest in God’s glory.
She leaves to cherish her memory, two devoted sons, Joseph Preston King (Angela), Darrell L. Smith (Tameika), both of Chattanooga, TN, two brothers, Rev. Edward L. King, Sr. (Virginia) Demopolis, Alabama, Albert King, Sr. (Sherry) Tuscaloosa, Alabama, two sisters, Elizabeth King, Brooklyn, New York, and Emma Cook-Florence, Montgomery, Al., Sis-in-laws, Alma King, Camden, Al and Rosie King, Detroit, Michigan, step-children, Geoffrey K. Anfield Sr., Demopolis, Al., Wausonia A. Littles, Mobile, Al., Rhvonja Avery and Mark Smith, both of Chattanooga, TN., Michelle Smith-Ahmad, Atlanta, GA., grandchildren, Jajuan Smith, Kirsten Smith, McKenzie Smith, Jeremiah Smith, Darrell Bone, Rhyne Howard, Rashawn Avery, Kennatta Harris, Rhylan Pickett, Jayden Rutledge and Allen Warren (Kareka), all of Chattanooga, TN., Geoffrey K. Anfield, Jr. Jaliea K. Anfield, Imari K. Anfield, Jakiyah P. Anfield, Jakayla Anfield, Deaqueal A. Littles, Jr.,all of Mobile, Al., great-grandchildren, Messiah, Kaiden and Allen Warren, III all of Chattanooga, TN., a very devoted friend, Mrs. Mattie Harden, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Public viewing will be held 2:00pm - 6:00 pm Sunday, April 30, 2023, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 12 noon Monday, May 1, 2023 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3777 Wilcox Blvd, 423-697-7000. Interment: Memorial Gardens Cemetery Hwy 43, Demopolis Alabama 36732