Deacon Eddie "Babe" King, Jr.

UTICA - Deacon Eddie “Babe” King, Jr., age 67, went home to the Lord when he passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with the ones he loved the most in his heart. Born in Marked Tree, Arkansas on February 14, 1951, Eddie was the son of the late Eddie and Georgia (Gilmore) King. In the 1960’s, the family relocated to Utica where he graduated from T.R. Proctor High School. Babe began his working career at St. Elizabeth Hospital in the Maintenance Department where he was employed for 27 years. He subsequently held similar positions at the Hunter House and lastly at the Loretto Utica Center. Eddie was a good, humble man, traits he inherited from his parents. A generous soul, he visited all his family members during the Christmas holiday and gracefully gave each a gift to remember him by. He never expected anything in return. Babe was blessed with a quick wit, and with his famous sayings and one-liners, he really got the party started. He literally was the “king of the grill” always prepared to feed everyone who dropped by. He had no favorites, so he just enjoyed it all! His snack of choice was “Suzie Q’s”. He and his dad enjoyed watching cowboy and Bruce Lee movies, and WWE Wrestling together. You couldn’t get him off the chair, and if he needed anything while these programs were in progress, he would yell out for whatever he wanted. Babe was proud to be born the 3rd of 12 children. He was a wonderful brother, and a loving uncle to the generations that followed. His legacy is his character. Every first Sunday of the month he attend the Friendship Baptist Church where he was a faithful member of over thirty years. Rev. March welcomed him with great affection. On one of the last Sundays of his life, he was blessed to be able to fulfill his duties as deacon at the service. He worshipped and worked well that day. Eddie was an independent and self-sufficient man, but all that changed when he had his stroke. Through all his adversity and challenges, he maintained a strong, positive outlook and a smile on his face. Eddie is survived by his siblings, Willie King Sr., Minnie King, Henry King, Bessie Tolbert, Nannie King and Ricky Spight, Tommy King, Davy King, Janie King, Donna King, Billie King and Candy, and Mae King; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; and his aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Fred Lee Gilmore. He drew strength from his pastor, Rev. Charles March, and his special friend, Lawanner Jackson. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Al Tolbert Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Sandra King, and Nancy King; and his uncle, Willie James Clark. The family extends their sincere thanks to Dr. Joseph Booth who was so supportive of Eddie’s wellbeing; Olga from Palliative Care for her compassion and comfort; and the staff of the Heritage Healthcare Center for their loving touches. Visitation will be held Friday, May 11th from 10:00-12:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Eddie’s funeral service and Home Going celebration will commence on Friday afternoon at 12:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Rev. Charles March officiating the ceremony. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Deacon Eddie "Babe" King, Jr.

February 14, 1951 - May 3, 2018