Betty Arlene (Cole) King

Betty Arlene (Cole) King, age 92, passed away peacefully on a beautiful sunny afternoon on Friday, May 9, surrounded by her loving husband of 72 years, Paul, Sons Phil and Kris, daughter-in-law Dorothy, and her beloved dog Miggy. 

Betty was born on July 23, 1932, to Russell and Agnes Cole. She was one of five children and attended Sunfield Schools and Western University. She Married Paul D. King. They were married in the house she was raised in, and moved to Lansing. While Paul was working at Fisher Body, he was drafted into the Army. They were stationed in Kentucky and later Texas. Two years later, they moved back to Michigan and began raising their four children in Lansing, and later moved back to Lake Odessa.

Betty always worked outside the home at various jobs, waitress, a secretary, at Meijer, and eventually retired from Khol’s department store when she was 79 Years old. Betty was also a dedicated homemaker, cooking, canning, gardening, and she always had a spotless house. Betty also loves to sew, Knit, and crochet. Christmas time was always very special, as Betty went all out decorating, and making delicious cookies and candies. Betty was also very patriotic and loved all things red, white, and blue.

Betty and her family enjoyed time together through the years camping, fishing, cross-country skiing, and trips to the casino. The family has several memories of the fun times spent at their cottage at Horseshoe Lake in Six Lakes. Betty and Paul loved to travel with friends to Las Vegas, Branson, and Nashville, and once she even met her idols Alan Jackson and Vince Gill; she even gave them a hug! Betty was a huge Detroit Tigers fan. She and Paul watched every game. They even named their dog Miggy after Miguel Cabrera.

Betty was such a loving, generous person, always thinking of others, sending cards, and making phone calls to check up on people. She loved having lunch and catching up with her special friends, Carol, Pat, Sharon, and Bev.

Betty was preceded in death by her daughter Paula, parents Russell and Agnes Cole, and her four siblings Jean, George, Raymond, and Lee.

Betty is survived by her husband, Paul King, sons, Phil, Kris (Dorothy) King, and her daughter Karen (Roger) Thelen, Eleven grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, sisters in law Diane Cole and Betty Cole, and several nieces and nephews. 

Betty will be remembered for her beautiful smile, wonderful laugh, and loving heart. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she has touched, as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. 

The family would like to say a special thank you to Debbie from Visiting Angels, the staff of Corwell Hospital, and Elara Hospice, for all their care and compassion.

There will be no funeral services at this time.

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