Lashun K. King

The Valiant Life of Lashun Kenya King “Candy” began May 27, 1982; born to Mary Ross and Frank King, Jr. in Elaine, Arkansas.  She was her mother’s first born and later followed by her little brother, Perry, who she affectionately called “Pooh.”  Lashun grew up in Lambrook, Arkansas and attended Elaine Public Schools where she graduated in the class of 2000.  Lashun’s life was from very humble beginnings filled with love and support.

 

Lashun was nicknamed “Candy” by her family as she grew up in a household surrounded by love.  She shared this love with her two little cousins, one was nicknamed “Cookie” and her little brother, Breon.  The three of them have memories that will live on forever.  She grew up on a farm in Lambrook, Arkansas and within a household where Christian values, education, hard work, love, and support of family were a priority; these attributes became the foundation on which she built her life.  During her early years growing up on the farm, she worked in the fields, took care of animals, and helped with the canning of foods.  Many memorable days were spent working in the fields with her mom, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

 

It may seem like the 38 years that God allowed her to be on this earth were short, but so much was accomplished.  In one of her published books, Lashun personally gave an account of the early years of her life:

“I remember my Granny getting me up at 5:45 a.m. for school.”  “It’s time to get up and get ready for school sweetheart,” she would say.

“I remember competing with my two cousins in the morning before school, Cookie and Breon, to be the first to get to the bathroom in the morning.”

“I remember my Granny would make me iron my clothes and lay them out for school the night before.”

“I remember my Mother always made me feel loved and surrounded by protection.”

“I remember meeting my Little Baby Brother.  I wanted to be the best big sister possible.”

I remember helping my Granny with cooking and chores in the house and my Papa with the things on the farm.”

“I remember my Papa would lead the family in prayer during the holiday festivities.”

 

Education and studying were especially important to Lashun as she went through kindergarten, high school, and college.  She graduated with high honors in each graduation that she participated in.

 

Lashun knew that only what she did for Christ would last.  At the tender age of 8, Lashun was converted into the Royal Family of Jesus Christ.  She was converted in Mellwood, Arkansas at Zion Travelers M.B. Church where the late Reverend C.B. Bingham was the senior pastor.  She was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by Pastor Artic James and Pastor Bingham in Old Town Lake in Lakeview, Arkansas.  She came a member of Brooks Chapel M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor James.  She always considered Brooks Chapel as her church home.

 

In her book, she honored her mother as she wrote, “To My Mother, Mary, you have been my rock and I will always love and appreciate you for never letting me give up on life.”  A quote that Lashun learned as a teenager at Tennessee State University, “I was God’s Idea and Heaven’s Dream.”  It is this quote that carried her through her professional life.  Her belief in God was strong and she knew that God would carry her every step of the way.

 

Dr. King held multiple positions at both state and local levels.  Her research has been published globally in peer-reviewed journals.  Aside from being a published author, she was also featured in technology magazines and text books.  While doing all of this, she competed in and won beauty pageants.  She was crowned both Mrs. Little Rock and Mrs. Dallas in recent years.

 

Lashun was united in Holy Matrimony to Roderick Thomas, Sr. on August 31, 2010.  Their union produced two beautiful boys, Roderick, Jr. on November 16, 2011 and Raylan on January 7, 2014.

 

Most importantly, Lashun prepared the eternal business early in her life to be able to see Jesus and be at rest with him.  Nothing mattered more to her than pleasing her Father, which is in Heaven.  “I am the way, the truth and the light.”  (John 14:6).  To be accepted into Heaven, she knew that she had to confess her sins, ask for forgiveness, and believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again.  Rest well in the arms of the One who loves you so much. 

 

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents:  Wash and Florida Ross; her paternal grandparents:  Frank and Josie King; her aunts:  Rosemary Goodwine and Brenda Polk; her uncles:  Henry Ross, Everette Clark, and Eugene Ross; her cousins:  Maria Goodwine, Tyrone Goodwine, Baby Jena, and Baby Brandon.

 

Left to cherish her memory and forever keep her legacy alive are her sons:  Roderick, Jr. and Raylan; her mother:  Mary (Robert) Slater; her father:  Frank (Edith) King; her brothers:  Perry Broadus of Elaine, Arkansas; Frank King, III of Garland, Texas; Kaylon (Renea) Daniels of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Tyshawn King of North Little Rock, Arkansas; her sisters:  Brandy (Corrie) King-Alexander of Gatesville, Texas; Shanita (Mario) King-Frazier of North Little Rock, Arkansas; her stepsister:  Parnesha Slater of Elaine, Arkansas; her uncles:  Bobby Ross of Los Angeles, California; Charlie (Jeanette) Clark of Saginaw, Michigan; Johnny (Cheryl) Ross of Raytown, Texas; John Clark of Saginaw, Michigan; James (Odessa) Ross of Antonio, Texas; Felix Ross of Helena, Arkansas; and Kenneth Ross of Helena, Arkansas; her great-uncle:  Henry Burrell of Helena, Arkansas; her aunts:  Alia Stewart of Hampton, Virginia; Charlene Powell of Saginaw, Michigan; Shereline (Melvin) Gum of Lakeview, Arkansas; Sharon Johnson of Little Rock, Arkansas; Marilyn (James) Golden of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Nina Ross of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Mattley Ross of Los Angeles, California; Bobbie Holmes of Los Angeles, California; Alma Hinton of Los Angeles, California; Rose Greer of Helena, Arkansas; Donna Ross of Helena, Arkansas; Claudine (Julius) Backus of Houston, Texas; Rose (Eugene) Smith of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Barbara (Torrence) Shelton of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Betty (Michael) Stewart of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Veronica Tucker of North Little Rock, Arkansas; her great-aunt:  Estella Ross-Davis of Helena, Arkansas; her God aunt and uncle:  Latunga and Thomas Brown; her nephews:  Tristan Slater,  Anthony Conley, Jr., Mario Frazier, Samion Frazier, Braylon Frazier, and Theodis Williams; her nieces:  Tyler Broadus, Trinity Williams, and Cania Williams.  Candy will be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends.