Linda Gail King

Linda Gail (Thorpe) King entered this world on April 2, 1943, in Culver City, California and entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in the Delmar Garden West of Chesterfield, Missouri having attained the age of 80 years. Linda, daughter of the late Robert Allen Thorpe and Sharleen (Cadle) Thorpe, grew up in St. Louis Missouri where she graduated from Ritenour High School with the Class of 1961. She continued her education at SMSU (now known as Missouri State University) in Springfield, Missouri and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. On August 22, 1964, Linda was united in marriage to Jack Lee King in St. Louis, Missouri. They shared over 38 years of marriage together and were blessed with three children: Melissa, Stephen, and Andrea. In 1970, Linda and the family moved to Waynesville where she continued her teaching career for the Waynesville R-VI School District. Prior to Waynesville, she had taught in Seymore, Fordland, Falcon, and Lebanon. She taught over 25 years in Waynesville and retired in May 1998. Over her teaching career, she taught kindergarten, 5th grade, and adult education classes. She loved pouring into her students and watching them blossom as they learned. After retiring from teaching, Linda was able to do more of the things that she enjoyed. She was quite talented and liked to oil paint, crochet, and make quilts. She also enjoyed being outdoors planting flowers, working in the garden, or tending to her roses. Linda was also an avid reader and liked to go tap dancing. Even after retiring, she continued to serve others in her community. She was a volunteer at the Crisis Center (where she made quilts for those in need), volunteered at the local nursing home, was a member of the Pulaski County Retired Teacher’s Association and KKI. Most importantly, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially the grandchildren. In her later years, she moved to the St. Louis area to be closer to family and treasured those times spent closer to them. Linda will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters: Melissa Belser (Craig) of Lee’s Summit, MO and Andrea King of Chesterfield, MO; five grandchildren: Zach Belser, Heather Belser, Adam Mues, Caleb Mues, and Ryan Mues; daughter-in-law: Jody King of Riverside, MO; two brothers: Allen Thorpe (Jane) of St. Louis, MO, and David Thorpe (Lynn) of St. Louis, MO; several other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband Jack King (2002) and her son Stephen King (2023). Even though she is gone from our sight, Linda’s love for her family, life, learning and attitude of serving others will live on in our hearts forever. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024, in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024, in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Linda King and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Linda Gail King

April 2, 1943 - January 31, 2024