Gloria Sue (Lawson) King

Gloria Sue King, affectionately known as Little Momma to her friends and family, finally walked again, for the first time in 28 years, when she met her Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, October 13, 2024 at the Munday Nursing Home.

Born on July 11, 1937 in Merkel to A.H. and Elba Stevenson Lawson, Sue spent her early childhood in Munday and later Seymour, where she graduated high school in 1955.  She was very musically inclined and was the band majorette all four years of high school.  She played saxophone, piano and the organ, carrying on the tradition of her Daddy’s family.

After graduation, Sue married Bobby Glen King on July 15, 1955.  They had two children, Rob and Kim.  Her professional life began as an employee at Seymour Hospital and Clinic and later, in 1974, she became the secretary to the Superintendent of Seymour ISD, a role she cherished until her retirement in 1988.

Little Momma was known for being a busy bee.  She loved playing golf and tennis, organizing parties and gatherings for friends and family, antiquing with her daughter, Kim or friends all over Texas.  Some of her most treasured times were traveling to watch her grandkids play sports or rodeo every weekend.  Sue also loved her home and worked hard to keep it tidy inside and out (and therefore kept busy with a lot of “honey do’s” for Bobby too).  She was active in her church community of First Baptist Church of Seymour, where she often sang in the choir, and was involved in the Cross Country Emmaus Community, where she served on many walks.  Her faith was a cornerstone of her life.  Quiet mornings on her patio, surrounded by her beautiful flowers, with her beloved dog Wicket and the wonders of God’s creation, gave Sue great joy.

She may have been a small town girl, but Sue was a world traveler.  In 1995, she traveled with her daughter to Lithuania to bring her new grandson Cole home from an orphanage.  This feat was one of her fondest memories and a testament to her determination and devotion to her family.

In April of 1996, Sue’s world changed forever after suffering a debilitating stroke.  Paralyzed on her left side, she could no longer walk or do all the things her busy bee mind and body wanted to do.  But this tragedy did not stop Little Momma.  Never willing to slow down or give up, she kept at the daily tasks she could muster the strength to do, and kept trying to live fully.  From a wheelchair, she continued to work in her own home, keeping it sparkling clean, setting and clearing the table and helping prepare meals, each and every day.  Even after breaking her hip and her shoulder twice (from her refusal to slow down and not do so much), Sue’s resilience, her fighting spirit and her faith, kept her going and doing so much more than many would have dared, given her physical disabilities.  What Sue lacked in physical dexterity, she made up for in sheer will and determination.

In December 2018, Sue would suffer a fall and injury that changed her life drastically again.  This injury led to her moving into the Munday Nursing Home, where she became a shining light for many residents there.  You could often catch her in other residents’ rooms, holding a hand, giving comfort, or maybe telling them how they had to keep going and not give up!

In her final days, so many of her nursing home friends came to her bedside and shared how special Sue had made them feel and how much she was loved.  For many years, and as many know and have experienced, Sue shared her heart and love through her greeting cards ministry, often mailing five to ten cards per week to various friends and loved ones.

Sue and Bobby were married for 67 years, before his passing in October of 2022.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Rob, grandson, Lucas Lawrence, brother Bobby Joe Lawson, her in-laws, Garland and Nadine King and several of her very best friends.

Little Momma is survived by her daughter, Kim and husband, Rick Decker of Goree; 13 grandchildren, Chrislyn Lawrence and husband, Mike McClure, Casey Lawrence and wife, Erica, Jayla Sanchez and husband, Jr., Jocelyn Reaves and husband, Laramie, Kobie Decker and wife, Emily, Rylie Diaz and husband, Johnny, Cole Lawrence, Gabe Decker, Josiah Decker and Isaiah Decker, Clint Loving and wife, Anna, Krystal Wiederhold and husband, Justin, Laci Brown and husband, Chris; 19 great grandchildren; sister-in=law, Brenda and husband, William Breland of Taos, New Mexico and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Seymour.  Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.

The family requests that donations be made to the Munday Nursing Center or a charity of your choice.