Erie M. King

Remembering the Life of Erie M. King—
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Servant of God

On the morning of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Mother Erie Mae King peacefully transitioned to her Heavenly home at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. A devoted servant of God, a faithful wife, and a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mother King lived a life marked by prayer, purpose, and abundant love.

Born on March 27, 1930, in Dothan, Alabama, Erie Mae (as she was affectionately called by her parents and siblings) was the youngest of five children born to Emma (Black) Miller and Allard Miller. Raised in a Christian home, she developed a deep and steadfast faith in God at an early age. She was just six years old when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior, and at age 17, she received the gift of the Holy Spirit while attending a Pentecostal youth revival in Dothan.

In 1947, Erie Mae moved to Washington, D.C., to marry her fiancé, Leon Don King, Sr. The couple wed on October 28, 1947, and remained married for 69 years until Dr. King’s passing in 2016. Together, they raised six children and formed a true ministry partnership. After Dr. King was ordained in 1950, Mother King labored tirelessly alongside him at every church he was assigned to pastor—organizing fundraisers, singing in the choir, preparing church dinners, and teaching Sunday School and Bible Study. In 1966, when Dr. King was led by God to establish The United Triumphant Church of Christ, Mother King, as she was now called, was instrumental in helping him to bring that vision to life. She and her oldest son, Leon Jr., helped draft the original by-laws and charter documents for the church.

Mother King studied the Bible daily and had a passion for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone who would listen and even those who didn’t. She served for decades as a missionary, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and women’s counselor. She was also a youth counselor for the Billy Graham crusades. Mother King became an ordained minister in 2004 and served for many years as associate pastor under her husband’s leadership, continuing faithfully until illness prevented her from serving.

A woman of warmth and joy, Mother King loved to laugh. She enjoyed reading the Sunday comics; watching comedy TV shows and movies like The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Weekend at Bernie’s or Bye-Bye Birdie; and listening—very patiently—to silly jokes and songs from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they were young. She loved jigsaw puzzles, baking, shopping, decorating, browsing food magazines, and singing, which filled her with so much joy. One of her favorite hymns was Blessed Quietness, which she sang at church and at home often. Mother King also enjoyed gardening and had a special gift for helping even the most stubborn plants flourish—especially her roses and azaleas.

Above all, Mother King cherished her family. She loved her children and was a devoted and attentive mother who prayed over her children daily, never missed a school program, helped with class projects, always made time to listen, and ensured that her children and grandchildren were surrounded by books, good meals, and unconditional love. She went out of her way to make Holidays special—especially Christmas. She decorated the house from top to bottom and filled the kitchen and dining cabinets with dozens of cakes, pies, cookies, and joy. She cared for her family with a quiet strength and resilience, supporting her children and husband through illness, loss, heartbreak, and hardship, offering them comfort, prayer, and love.

Mother King is survived by her children: Eric C. (Maxine) King, Donna King, and Yvette King; grandchildren: Eric M. King I and Elisha King; and great-grandchildren: Keyannah Wilson, Zoe Iverson, Eric M. King II, and Twilla M. King; sister-in-law Merkie Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, God children, and others. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Leon D. King Sr.; parents: Emma and Allard Miller; children: Leon D. King Jr., Charlotte Y. King, and Stephen B. King; grandchildren: Kyla King Foster and Isaac D. King; siblings: Leoma Daniels, Willie C. Miller, Ruby Lee Miller, and Allard (Alton) Miller Jr.

"Well done thy good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things...enter thou into the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25: 21