Zella Mae King

Zella Mae King was born in Lodi, TX on July 22, 1938 to the union of her parents Silas and Zolia Williams.
Zella confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, joining Ebenezer Baptist Church in Lodi, TX. She began singing at church from the age of three, her love of singing for the Lord continued until her passing.
Zella Mae attended Fairview Elementary, Junior High and High Schools graduating May 28, 1953. While attending Fairview schools she met Donald King of Kildare, Texas. They were joined in holy matrimony on August 10, 1956. From their union four daughters and one son was born.
In 1960 Zella and Donald moved to Oakland, California where Zella united with King Solomon Baptist Church, the necessity of submerging her children in the God's word was evident by her regular and consistent attendance.
Working all of her life, Zella has always been very proud of her strong work ethic and dedication to a job well done and has instilled all of these great qualities in everything that she pursued.
Zella self-trained and taught herself the profession of dry cleaning and as a "Master Presser" she has worked for various companies including My Cleaners, Marshall Steels and Snow Cleaner where she first retired. Later, after moving to Hilltop in Richmond, California Zella changed professions completely. She found her passion at children Hospital of Oakland, California. While working full time at Snows Cleaners, and training at Children's Hospital, Zella became a full hands-on Foster mother. As a foster mother, Zella helped to positively mold the lives of at least eight children in her care. Zella, however did not just care for the children, she would also assist the child's parent and family affected as well. Her passion for caring for others has often caused her to reminisce about the families and children she once cared for.
It is because of her compassion and her love of caring for others that Zella has been awarded numerous times for assisting others and going far above and beyond the call of duty.

In 2004 Zella decided that she wanted to positively change the Dynamics of her entire family and moved to Patterson California and her three daughter and their families followed her shortly after.
Zella and her daughters joined Agape Baptist Church in Patterson CA under the leadership of Pastor Michael East, she was a member of the Church Choir.
She later united with New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church of Modesto under the leardership of Rev. Dr. Charles R. Evins II and was immediately appointed to the choir and the Mother Board where she proudly served. Zella loved attending church service at New Bethany her church family was like family to her. Zella loved singing and was frequently called on by the Pastor to sing solo for the church.
It was at New Bethany that Zella met Rev. Fletcher Reed. In March 2017 she joined New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. During her illness Rev. Reed and his wife Sis. Reed would visit with her regularly at home and would bring her Communion on first Sunday's.
Surrounded by her loving family Zella went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on June 22, 2017 at her home in Patterson, CA. Zella Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald King, three Brothers, Samuel (Lonzo) Williams, Elma (E.L) Williams, Celma (C.L) Williams, one Sisters, Redessia Johnson, Daughter, Sharon Stephenson, her son, Jasper King, two grandsons, Warren Dale Robertson Jr and Gabriel Charles Eneal Turner.
Zella leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, Carol (Warren) Roberson, Larthatta (Bruce) Johnson, Deminica (Remoni) Tufono, 14 grandchildren, Warren Roberson Jr., Frederick Roberson, Shavon Roberson, Christopher Roberson, Fantasia Roberson, Abraham Roberson, Curtis Turner, Dont'e Turner, Gabriel Turner, Aaron Turner, Keith Gomer Jr, Remoni Tufono II, Kauai Tufono, SeiMyalani Tufono, 40 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, Sister, Arzalia Sparks, God-Son, Damont'e Wheat, God-Daughter, Ceilia Muldrow, brother in-laws, Alvin Johnson, Oprisa King, sister-in laws, Marilyn King Lois Miles, Freda Williams and a host of other loving nephews, nieces, family and friends. Affectionately named by her grandson Remoni II, "Suga Moma" will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

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