Loretta Emilie King

Loretta Emilie King, born Loretta Emilie Bartek, age 92, of Waco, Texas, fell asleep in death on April 12, 2026.

She was born on December 26, 1933, in Bell County, Texas. She worked as a model in the 1950s and was named Miss Labor Day in Michigan. She later spent more than 30 years in California, where she worked in makeup sales and for an answering service. She retired from M&M Mars, a place fondly remembered by her family.

In 1961, she dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized. Her faith in God became the most important part of her life. She was known for sharing God’s promise of a future earthly paradise, where life would be restored to perfect conditions, free of pain, suffering, and death, and where she would be reunited with loved ones. This hope brought her comfort and shaped her outlook throughout her life.

She deeply loved nature and found joy in observing God’s creation. She especially enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels in her backyard, with cardinals being her favorite.

She enjoyed simple pleasures such as fishing at Lake Waco. She was also active in local fairs in Waco, where she entered contests for cooking, preserves, and plants. She earned many ribbons over the years, including first prize for her biscuits. These activities were never about money, but were hobbies she truly enjoyed.

She will also be remembered for her strong-willed and sometimes stubborn nature, which those who loved her would say was simply part of her determination and strength.

She deeply valued time with family and especially enjoyed attending family reunions at the family farm where she could be surrounded by her loved ones and share in laughter, conversation, and memories that meant so much to her.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Ardell McPherson, Ray McPherson, Traci Mraz, James Bartek, Melody Gore, Jared Nelson, Alisa Johnson, and Wendy Johnson, as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene King; her siblings, Jenny White, Leon Bartek, Lee John Bartek, Gene Bartek, Bernita Bernal, Patricia Cheney, and Shirley Johnson; and her nephews, Archie McPherson and Daniel Bartek.

She will also be fondly remembered by her family for the warmth and joy she brought into their lives. One niece recalled childhood visits to her home, where her work at M&M Mars meant an endless supply of candy and treats, but even more than that, she created a sense of excitement, laughter, and love that made every visit special and unforgettable.

She will be remembered for her faith, her love of nature, her devotion to family, and the enduring strength and personality she carried throughout her life.

Services will be held at a later date in Waco, Texas.

Revelation 21:3,4 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”