Jesse H. King

July 15, 1918 ~ August 2, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Jesse H. King, 95, of Asheville, died on Friday, August 2, 2013, at the Charles George VA Medical Center Hospice Center.
He was born on July 15, 1918, and was a lifelong resident of Buncombe Co., NC. Mr. King was a son of the late Talbert and Mae Surrett King. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Ora Duckett, Oliver King, Geneva Reemes, Julie Hollifield, Pearl Capps, Bertha Caldwell, and Dorothy Sinclair.
Mr. King was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army 1940 to 1945, serving 468 days on the front lines. He served in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was a recipient of an EAMETO Medal, five Bronze Stars, one Bronze Arrowhead, and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in action during the war. Following the war, Mr. King spent his life as a farmer and was an avid bee-keeper.
Affectionately known as “Papaw,” he spent his life loving and taking care of his family. He was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church.
Surviving is his loving wife of 72 years, Bashie King; son, Harold “Sambo” King, of the home; daughters, Joan Worley (David), Darlene Teague (Tommy); three granddaughters, Tina Worley, Tonya King (Glenn), and April Teague; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Trinity, Tristian, Taylor, Makia, and Madi; and sisters, Pheobe Brown, and Ruby Howey.
A funeral service for Mr. King will be on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Bill Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the church’s cemetery with military honors provided by the North Carolina National Guard Honor Guard. Serving as pallbearers will be Elmer Justice, Tyler Anderson, Glen King, Basil Rice, Terry Luther, and Larry Cook, Jr.
His family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 7 Mayrand Rd., Leicester, NC 28748.
Rest in Peace Mr. King. Thank you for your military service.
We send our love, prayers, and support to the family of Jesse King. He was a great man. It was an honor knowing him. He will be truly missed.
On a personal note, To the family. Jesse served this country proudly. For all the days he stood on the front line and fought for what he believed in. For his time spent. It is because of men like Jesse that makes our country free. For that we say THANK YOU!
MY PROMISE
I promise you dear veteran
to remember what you’ve done
all the sacrifices you have made
in battles lost and won.
I promise you dear veteran
that you will not have fought in vain
even when the years have come and gone
and only your tombstone does remain.
I promise you dear veteran
a poppy I will wear
to show the world I’m proud of you
and that I will always care.
I promise you dear veteran
to teach my children well
so that they will always remember
and to their children the stories tell.
To you I make this promise
an oath straight from my heart
to never, ever forget you
and that in my life you have a part.
Lest that we forget
the terror that is war
and all that has been given
by those who fought before.