Ethel M. King

Ethel Mae Akers King 101, of Indianapolis died on September 20, 2010. She was born on August 26, 1909 in North Judson, Indiana, the youngest of five children of Minnie Florence Ashley and Richard Baxter Akers. She attended DePauw University as a music major, joined a sorority and was on the college Rifle Team. She then came to Indianapolis to attend Madame Blaker's Teachers College. She graduated with a Life License to teach. Madame Blaker's was later merged with Butler University. She met Merlin Henry King (Bud) at Butler and was married on her birthday in 1935. He preceded her in death in 1958. They had two children, Constance Susan King Douglas (husband John Hilton Douglas) and Richard Nelson King (wife Dona LeVan King). She is also survived by grandchildren, Scott King Douglas, Christopher Hilton Douglas, Brian Nelson King, and Melissa King Cooney and Chris Shengying Tzeng; and six great grandchildren. Ethel Mae returned to Butler University in the sixties for an additional degree enabling her to teach in Washington Township at Harcourt until her retirement. Gardening and conservation were interests she nurtured with membership in Crooked Creek Garden Club serving as President. She was a certified flower show judge. She was also a member and supporter of Central Indiana Land Trust. She was President of the Board of Crooked Creek Elementary School Parent-Teachers' Association. She served on the Board of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Society as well as Alpha Lambda Latriean. Ethel Mae maintained a life-long love of music and art. In her young years she played the piano for the silent movies in her home town. She continued playing the piano until the last couple of months of her life. She volunteered with the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Women's Committee for the Indianapolis Symphony and for the Edyvean Repertory Theater at Christian Theological Seminary. She was a long-time subscriber to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts, continuing until her death. For many years she was on the Music Committee of North United Methodist where she was a member. Ethel Mae's interest in art led to her association with the Oglethorp University Art Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Memorial services will be conducted by North United Methodist Church in the Chapel at Marquette Manor on Monday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration Tribute in Music and a reception from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Foundation Hall at Marquette Manor, 8140 Township Line Road, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46208; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 32 E. Washington Street, Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or The King Family Scholarship Fund at Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Arrangements: Leppert Mortuary.