Leonard Laddie King

Leonard L. King, 81, Leicester, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the VA Medical Center. Mr. King was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Norvil and Alzura King. He served with the US Army during WW II in Europe and Africa. He earned a Purple Heart when he was injured in Italy. He was a member of the VFW Post 891. He was a former resident of Michigan and of Newport News, VA and was an avid basketball fan. He was devoted to his family and sacrificed himself in order to give to others. Surviving are three sisters, Flossie Worley and her husband Paul of Candler, Lily Tomlinson of Fairview and Mamie Sluder and her husband Donald of Leicester, and several nieces and nephews including special caregivers Janice, Jennifer, Pam and Wilburn. A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Smith officiating. Burial will be at Jones Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and again following the interment at Good News Baptist Church in Candler. Memorials may be made to Jones Valley Cemetery Fund, c/o Faye Ferguson, 153 Sandy Mush Road, Leicester, NC 28748.