Agnes Burnett Wallace King

RICHMOND, Ind. - Agnes Burnett Wallace King, 98, most recently of Clayton, Ind., died Thursday, December 10, 2009, at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, after a sudden illness. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 20, 1911, to Robert Stewart Burnett Wallace and Violet Jessie Whyte Wallace, the first daughter after four sons. Her Scottish family attended Forest Avenue Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Steele High School in 1929 and attended Earlham College. She worked at the Dayton Red Cross, International Tool Co., Earlham College, J.C. Penney, J.M. Poe Printing Co., the Palladium-Item, and Morrisson-Reeves Library, retiring from her final job at the age of 80. Since much of her work history involved the printed word, she would say 'My hearing isn't good but I can still read 6-point type!' This remarkable woman was an archive in herself and served as her daughter's muse in researching the family's Scottish ancestry. Agnes married Robert Coe King in 1938; they had a daughter, Frances Ann. Bob King was a circus buff and after his death in 1978 she kept his legacy, attending conventions all over the country and making friends, many of whom she has corresponded with for years. She is a life member of the Circus Fans Association and its Ohio tent. She was a longtime member of Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library and served on its board. Agnes was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond, where she had served as Lector and more recently of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Plainfield. She is survived by her daughter, Frances Ann (Fox) Cummings; grandchildren, Michael A. Fox and his wife Rhonda of Zionsville, Ind., and Julia Fox Bonner-Liggins of Texas; her sister, Marion Craig Wallace Crawmer; four great-grandchildren, Justin and Jessica Bonner of Austin, Texas, and Trevor and Lucas Fox of Indianapolis; four step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; nieces; cousins and her beloved calico, Penelope. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, James Russell, William Whyte, Robert Stewart and Donald Wilson Wallace; and recently by her son-in-law, Herschel J. 'Jim' Cummings. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, December 13, 2009, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, with Vigils and Remembrances at 7:45 p.m. Funeral rites will be held Monday, December 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 800 North A St., Richmond, with Rev. Rick Kautz officiating, with light luncheon to follow in the Simmons Room at the church. Burial of cremains will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to: Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 North 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374, or Help the Animals, 2101 West Main St., Richmond, IN 47374, or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Agnes Burnett Wallace King

September 20, 1911 - December 10, 2009