Earline Elizabeth Heath King

Earline
Elizabeth Heath King
WINSTON-SALEM -- Earline, born May 11, 1913 in Winston Salem, NC met her Lord while sleeping peacefully.
She was the only child of Earlie Edgar Heath and Zeola Billings Heath.
Earline graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School and continued her education at Greensboro College after winning First Place in the Soprano category of the Statewide vocal competition, which included a scholarship in Voice Training at the College. In the meantime she married Joseph Wallace King who was her school-mate at R.J. Reynolds.
In 1934 they both moved to Washington, DC. There, Earline worked, at first as a colorist in a photographic studio and then started performing as a vocalist along with Joe, a ventriloquist, professionally in Clubs, Hotels, theaters etc.
During the Second World War, they both volunteered their talents to entertain our troops along with the Navy Band at army, navy and marine bases throughout the area.They have also become entertainers at USO clubs.
In 1945, Earline went to New York, NY. To work with the famous milliner, Lily Dache. During her stay, an agent encouraged her husband to come to New York. Joe and Earline were booked on the vaudeville circuit from Baltimore to Maine to appear as the team of 'Joe and Earline King with Brandywine' the ventriloquist's dummy. In 1946, a portrait commission for Joe brought them back home, to Winston-Salem. During that time Earline did all the public relations to promote Joe.
Her career as a sculptor began with the enrollment in a sculpture class with Gardner Gidley at the Hanes Community Center. Three years later she won the First Prize in the Art Council's annual competition. Her works were very well received and quickly followed with commissions for busts of people's children and other known personalities.
In forty three years Earline completed 345 commissions and numerous limited editions which are still in demand. During that time she also completed many public art works such as the statue of R.J. Reynolds on a horse, downtown Winston-Salem, busts of Sir Winston Churchill, Governor James Hunt and others. Her other public works are the 'Alive, Beautiful and Victorious', a tribute to women cancer survivors, at the Allegacy Federal Credit Union water park, the Statue of Bowman Gray in front of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, main campus, the statue of Dr. Simon Green Atkins at Winston Salem State University, and the statue of Jesus under construction for the First Baptist Church on Fifth Street.
In 1993 she had a one man Exhibition at the Galleria Luigi Bellini in Florence, Italy. She also exhibited her works in galleries throughout the United States. Member of the First Baptist Church, she served on the Boards of the Mozart Club, the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, as well as life-member of the Brenner Childrens' Hospital, Charter Member of Amos Cottage and life member of the Twin City Club. In 1997 she served as the first woman President of the Twin City Club in Winston-Salem, for two terms. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International made Earline H. King a Paul Harris Fellow 'in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.'
The Greensboro College presented Earline with the Alumni Excellence Award, 1991, for her 'sensibility and considerable talent as a sculptor, teacher and observer of human expression earning her international recognition.'
For 23 years Earline offered sculpting classes to aspiring sculptors throughout the world. Thanks to her, many young sculptors are now productive gaining fame and recognition for their art. In 2003, Earline was conferred by the Board of Trustees of Greensboro College with the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.
On her 90th birthday she was presented by the State Governor, Michael F. Easley, with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen. Her name shall remain immortal courtesy of the Arts Council by commemorating the Sculpture and Pottery Studio in her name in the new Arts Council Center.
Earline has had a full life creating, promoting and inspiring all who crossed her path. She will be missed but never forgotten.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Hospice and Palliative Care center, Forsyth-Winston-Salem, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem 27103.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Dr. David Hughes officiating. A reception will follow at the church in Kelly Auditorium.
Salem Funeral Home is assisting the King family.
Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.