Lila Louise Lee King, 84, of Little Rock passed away on December 8 after a brief illness.

She was born October 19, 1939, at her maternal grandparents' home on Huckleberry Mountain, the only child of Arvey and Edna (Fink) Lee.  Lila grew up in the Mt. Salem and Rich Mountain communities, attending one-room schoolhouses at Corley and Rich Mountain in the 1st through 3rd grades, taught by her mother. Following the consolidation of the country schools into the Paris Public Schools in 1949, Lila attended the Branch Elementary and County Line Junior High Schools in 4th through 9th grades, before moving to Havana and graduating as salutatorian from Havana High School in 1957.  Thoughout this time, her mother continued teaching and dad also worked for the school, often as a bus driver.  Lila earned her BSE in education from Arkansas Tech and began teaching at Havana before completing her degree to fill a vacancy, completing her education in summer sessions.

While second grade was her favorite, she taught varying grades during her years as a teacher spanning several locations across Arkansas including Havana, Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, Russellville, Harrison, and Little Rock.  She moved to Little Rock in 1977, where she spent the last 46 years of her life, teaching for several years, pausing to care for her parents during poor health in their later years, and then returning to teaching.  She retired in 2008 after over 25 years of teaching.

Lila's son, Charles was born in 1964 at the Army hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Lila was also a proud grandmother, often sharing stories about the accomplishments of her son and five grandchildren.

Her hobbies included decorating, landscaping, vegetable, and flower gardening.   She especially enjoyed her annual birthday lunches with close friends.  After retiring from teaching, Lila became a member of Bible Study Fellowship in Little Rock, Little Rock Retired Teachers, and KAPPA, an educator's organization.

Survivors include:  her son, Charles King (Dana) of Overland Park, Kansas and five grandchildren; Courtney King of Nashville, Tennessee; Grayson King of Bellevue, Nebraska; McKenzie King of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Reagan King of Overland Park, Kansas and Rachel King of Overland Park, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandparents Macie and Dena (Ward) Fink; and her paternal grandparents Henry and Abeline (Corley) Lee.

Memorial services will be on December 15, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Western Yell County school auditorium. The family will receive visitors from 1-2 p.m.   Immediately following the service, Lila will be interred next to her parents at the Havana cemetery.

Lila was a trustee of the cemetery association Rogers/Mountain Grove Cemetery Association, where many of her relatives are buried.  Memorial contributions may be made to: The Rogers/Mountain Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Bob Dixon , 12773 Rodeo Rd, Havana, Arkansas 72842.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home Danville. Online guestbook and condolence at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com