CONSTANCE IRENE (LEMONS) KING

Constance Irene (Lemons) King was born September 8, 1945 in Springfield, Missouri, the oldest child of Wayne and Vivian Lemons. She died February 9, 2018.

Connie graduated from Buffalo High School in 1963. She then attended Southwest Missouri State, where she played volleyball and was an active member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

She was united in marriage with David King on July 14, 1967. They met in the first grade and attended school together until their college graduation in 1967. For 50 years, they made their home in Illinois, where they raised their three children. They celebrated their golden anniversary in the summer of 2017. Connie was a dedicated P.E. teacher and coach in Granite City, Illinois for all but one of her 33 years in education. She was a strong advocate for Title IX and fought hard to ensure that girls were given equitable opportunities to participate sports. Throughout her career she touched the lives of many of her students and players. She and David both retired in 2000 to enjoy time with friends and family.

She was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. She and David traveled countless miles to visit their children and grandchildren, never wanting to miss a ball game or performance. Throughout her 18 years of retirement, she remained active and especially, loved playing volleyball. She enjoyed traveling, going to Reba concerts, and staying in touch with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Vivian Lemons. Survivors include her husband, David; one son, Kevin King & wife Sarah; two daughters, Melissa King and Joanna Winterberg & husband Russell; 8 grandchildren, Jared Sharp, Madison Sharp, Mackenzie Sharp, Blake Winterberg, Emma King, Kyle Winterberg, Olivia King, and Hattie King; three brothers, Mike Lemons & wife Sherry; Steve Lemons, and Kirk Lemons & wife Patti; two sisters, Sarah O’Donnell and Mary Beth Green & husband Terry; two brothers-in-law, Roger King & wife Vivian and Larry King & wife Sue; and 14 nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 in the Cantlon Otterness Funeral Chapel with Pastor Tim Case officiating. Escorts will be Kevin King, Jared Sharp, Russell Winterberg, Larry King, Mike Lemons, and Kirk Lemons. Interment will be in Lone Rock Cemetery under the direction of the Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Missouri State University Foundation and mailed to 300 South Jefferson, Suite 100, Springfield, MO 65806. Condolences and online register book entries may be left at www.cantlonotterness.com.

(Paid memorial provided by family)