Irma Leigh Ethridge King
February 7, 1930 ~ November 2, 2021
Signature Sympathy Cards
Irma Leigh Ethridge King of Rocky Mount, passed away on Tuesday, November 2nd surrounded by her immediate family. She was born on February 7th, 1930.
Ms. King was a longtime, well-regarded employee of Carolina Telephone and Telegraph where she became the first woman to achieve the title of Test Deskman in the companys history. She was loved by her co-workers over her 4 decades with the company. One co-worker that caught her eye was her former husband, the late Ralph H. King, Sr. Together they had three children, sons - Ralph Hubert King Jr. and Sherwood Alan King, wife, Bridgette of Rocky Mount, NC, and daughter, Kathryn (Kathy)Leigh King Hardin, husband Marty, of Schenectady, NY.
She had six grandchildren she loved dearly Geoffrey King, Cameron King, Jessica Leigh Matthews, Savannah King, Pattie Griggs, and Bradley Matthews, and six great-grandchildren that brought her much joy and laughter, Poppy Leigh Walker, Etty Polanco Matthews, Devon Griggs, Rowan Griggs, Edith Griggs, & Cassidy King.
She also had 5 loving nephews, Gary Ethridge Jr., Stephen Ethridge, David Voerman, Bill and David Ethridge, and one sweet niece, Ashley Phillips. She had many special friends and 2 very good friends that spent many hours showing their love for her in her final days, Judy Patterson and Loretta Joyner.
Ms. King was the daughter of the late Sherwood and Pattie Gee Ethridge. She is survived by her brother, William S. Ethridge, wife Dot, and sister, Barbara Ethridge Jackson, husband Lee. Her brother, Gary D. Ethridge Sr. preceded her in death.
As family and friends recounted Irmas life there were recurring themes that held true. She loved to travel. She traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada with her family and friends and she embraced every sight she saw. But as much as she loved to travel, she loved dancing even more. Irma literally danced her way through dance halls throughout Eastern North Carolina, often exhausting the many dance partners who tried to keep up with her.
The last theme that was heard over and over again was that she loved to laugh. Whenever something would go wrong, rather than complain, she would always find the humor - often at her own expense. She could recount a mishap with humor and an infectious laugh.
Irma Leigh impacted many of us in a wonderful way. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she has ever touched.
A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> |
Saturday 11/13, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I love Irma she was my daddy first cousin and my second cousin my grandmother Umma and her mother Aunt Pattie were sisters I remember many times as a teenager going to Aunt Patty house and Umma and Irma had me laughing so much those were the best days of my life will miss you Irma but I know your with Jesus so I will see you again love Debbie
Worked with Irma for many years..she was a sweetheart..have a lot of good memories!. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
In memory of Irma Leigh Ethridge King, Dot Spruill lit a candle
My condolences to the King Family
Irma was a very good neighbor to me.I was a good friend for a lot of years and when she went to Carolina Beach with my family.Will miss her a lot.
To Irma’s family, Irma was a fun person. Always had a smile when you saw her. I worked with her at Carolina Telephone out on Fairview Road and enjoyed many beach trips to Nags Head, with her and several of our co-workers.
Kathy, my heartfelt condolences to you, Alan, Ralph and all Irma’s family and friends. I remember first meeting your mom one afternoon after school as a teenager and thought then that her smile was beautiful and she was such a fun lady. As an adult when I would run into her she made it easy to remember those times with again her beautiful smile which was brighter by the mention of her children and their children. Sending love to you, your family and smiles in memory of a Irma.
I went to work for CT&T two weeks out of high school and Irma was there as a Construction Clerk and she worked her way up a test deskman. I have always thought of Irma as the Queen of CT&T. She dispatched us on troubles kept us in line while listening to our grumbles and gripes, I hope the family can find peace and comfort knowing all the lives she impacted with her sweet smile and caring nature.
Thank you for all the years of being a good neighbor and friend. We will miss you, but rejoice that you are now well and whole and dancing to your heart’s delight.
Sending love, strength and healing to Irma’s family. We should all be inspired by her love of life, laughter, humor, and of course dancing! Keep dancing sweet lady! Kathy Ingram, New Bern