Mary Ann King

A funeral service for Mary Ann King will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with Rev. Thomas Rush officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Mary Ann King, 78 years of age, passed away April 28, 2016. Mary Ann was born May 4, 1937 to William L. Jarmon and Mary Elizabeth Buie Jarmon in DeQuincy, LA. She spent most of her life in Rayville, LA. After graduating from Rayville High School she graduated from Stephens College in Colombia, Missouri. Afterwards, she completed her degree in elementary education at Northwestern State College. In 1960 she married Leonard Wayne King whom she met at Northwestern. Mary Ann taught for seven years in the Caddo Parish public school system. She and her family lived in Lufkin, Texas for two years before returning to Natchitoches in 1969. Mary Ann’s passion for over thirty years was volunteering and coaching her son Michael in Special Olympics at the local and state level. During that time, she spent two years as Director of the Red River Area Special Olympics. She was a tireless volunteer at the Natchitoches ARC beginning in the 1970’s and was a part of the ARC when their children’s class was moved to the Natchitoches Parish School System. She later served as Director of Natchitoches ARC Work Activity center for 20 years before her retirement in 1999. While at ARC she was instrumental in the inception of the Early Infant Intervention Program which later became the Natchitoches Preschool Center. Mary Ann spent most of her adult life working with and advocating for both children and adults with special needs. She positively affected the lives of many people of all ages with special needs in this area. In addition, she was a longtime supporter of NSU Demon athletics and as a season ticket holder, could often be seen at many practices and events. She is survived by Wayne, her loving husband of 55 years; daughter, Angela Guillet and son-in-law David; son, Michael King; grandchildren, Abigail and Adam Guillet all of Natchitoches, LA. She is also survived by cousin, Paula Buie Cumpton and husband Don of Rayville, LA; brother-in-law, Gerald King and wife Darlene of Lufkin, TX; and nieces and a nephew in various places. Those honored to serve as pall bearers are David Guillet, Chris Guillet, James Heifner, Warren Massia, Don Mims, and Ray Ponthieux. The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Archie Breazeale, the staff at Natchitoches Community Care Center and Hospice of Natchitoches. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.