Henrietta (Henri) King Dies

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Wife of Call & Post Publisher/Promoter Don King

A strong, quiet and passionate woman, Henrietta (Henri) King, who helped pilot her husband to international fame, died December 6, in Florida. Henrietta King, wife of Don King, known as the premiere boxing promoter, was small in stature but mighty in her own right. Recognized nationally for her philanthropy, she took great pride in helping others.

Funeral services for Henrietta King were held in Cleveland, Ohio on this past Saturday, Dec. 10, at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Family visitation was at 10 a.m. with service at 11 a.m.

Long time friend of the Kings, the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.

Memorial services were held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach, Florida on Tuesday, Dec.7, 2010.

Henrietta King was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 18, 1923, to Joseph Wooden and Jonathan Virginia Lee. She had three sisters and two brothers, all of whom have preceded her in death.

Henrietta attended public schools in Richmond, Virginia. She later relocated to Cleveland, Ohio and attended Nursing School. After completing the nursing program she worked for a period of time at Mt. Sinai Hospital of Cleveland, Ohio.

Henrietta was a woman who unconditionally loved and took care of her family. She was the devoted wife and best friend for over fifty years to her husband, who she fondly called Donald. She was the loving mother of Carl, Debbie and Eric King. She was a grandmother extraordinaire to Jon Carl King, Gregory Lee, Xavier Lee, Jessica Carle King and Brandon King. She was a great aunt and was a friend above all friends to anyone she called a friend.

Henrietta had a great love, passion and eye for Fashion and Interior Design. She was a collector of fine and unusual shoes. Her collection is indeed one of a kind. Henrietta could take a simple property and turn it into a Magnificent Showpiece!

When Henriettas children were young, they moved from the city life of Cleveland, Ohio to the rural life of Windsor, Ohio. It was there that she taught them the importance of living off the land! There she raised cattle, pigs and her own vegetables.

This was just the humble beginnings to the many, many great things that Henrietta King would do for her town and the neighboring town of Orwell, Ohio. It was also the beginning of a charitable outreach that would allow Henrietta to touch, change and impact many lives for years to come.

Henrietta would later become an entrepreneur and owner of a number of community-based businesses and properties, an employer providing jobs for many in the community and a member of the Ashtabula county Sheriffs Department. She was also the recipient of countless awards for her work with and for the betterment of people. Her awards included being an honoree of the Cleveland Chapter of the NAACP.

Henrietta was a great supporter of the police and fire departments not just locally but across the country. She along with her husband Don, donated two fire engines: one in Deerfield Beach, Florida and another in New York City after the great losses of 911.

Henrietta was a very private person by nature, yet she reached out and touched the lives of many through her quiet unassuming generosity. She never liked attention being drawn to her, yet she always answered the call to help those in need. Henrietta King will be sadly missed!

Henrietta leaves to celebrate her life: her loving husband and best friend of over fifty years Donald King; a daughter Deborah King; two sons Carl King (Chelle) and Eric King; grandchildren Jon Carl, Gregory Lee, Xavier Lee, Jessica Carle King and Brandon King; a special niece Jean King-Battle (Reverend Thomas); two sisters-in-law Evelyn Dubois and Elizabeth Wooden; a host of family, friends and a team of dedicated care givers.

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