Ruth Mercedes King

Remembering the Life of Dr. Ruth Mercedes King

Dr. Ruth Mercedes King was born on February 2, 1957, the youngest child of Deacon William and Mother Arlene King (nee Sheffield) in Cincinnati, Ohio. On Tuesday evening, August 4, 2026, Ruth Mercedes King transitioned to her Heavenly home.

Dr. Ruth Mercedes King was educated in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Ruth earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Then she went on to earn both her Master of Science and a Ph.D. Ruth worked for the Indianapolis Public School Systems.

Dr. Ruth King at an early age was baptized in JESUS name and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at Zion Temple First Temple First Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Bishop Jasper J. Phillips. Ruth was active in Sunday School, Bible Study, choir, prayer and the marriage ministry. Dr. Ruth King was an ordained servant and minister of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She always traveled to the church Mid-winter and National Conventions annually.

Dr. Ruth King’s most cherished accomplishments of her natural life were being a homemaker, wife and mother for thirty-two (32) years. Prayer was her foundation and the most significant part of her life. It did not matter where she was, she always wanted to go into prayer! She was a prayer warrior. She believed in having church, prayer, and Bible study at home frequently with her children. Dr. Ruth trained her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Ruth King loved our large family gatherings throughout the years. She was a great cook, some of her specialties were German chocolate cake, roast, sweet potatoes/candied yams and potato salad. She was an avid lover of all sports, and her all-time favorite player is LeBron James, Sr.

Dr. Ruth King was proceeded in death by her parents Deacon William and Mother Arlene King. Her brothers Roy, Donald (Duck) Sr., Earl, and Wilbert King.

Dr. Ruth King leaves to cherish her memories; her children; Camille, Kecia, Carla and April, grandchildren; Kaelyn, Michelle, Carly, Chyna, Christian, Jalon (Emma), Ashton, Darrell Jr., and DeSean, two great granddaughters; Melani, and Amarie, siblings; Sally Phelps, Delores Miree, Rebecca King, Glenda Evans, Dorothy Bostic, Gail King, Steve King (Belinda), Delbert King (Margreta) of San Diego, CA. and Jim King. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones, saints and friends. Special friends, Minnie (Charles) Hartley, Phyllis (Hermon) Herring and Cynthia “Kay” Fluker.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Mercedes King, please visit our floral store.