Ina Laverne King

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ina Laverne King, 88, of Johnston City, Ill., formerly of Dowell, passed away at 11:55 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 at the Herrin Hospital at Herrin.

Ina had worked as a seamstress at Country Set at Du Quoin and at garment factories in Centralia, Carbondale and Zeigler. She had also taught at the Rehab Department at SIU. She was a member of Garment Workers Union and DAR.

She was born March 2, 1921 at Higbee, Mo., the daughter of Ed and Mary (Tymony) Gruber.

She married Grover Lemoin King on Feb. 14, 1937 at Dowell, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Nov. 17, 1979.

She is survived by one son - Wayne King and wife Ruth of Olive Branch, Miss., one daughter - Ina Laverne Bridges and husband Rocky of Chester, four grandchildren - Tammy Mezo and husband Don of New Athens, Tracy Rickman of Memphis, Tenn., Scott Bridges and wife Julie of Murphysboro, and Lee Ann Spiller and husband Bill of Willisville, one brother - Edward Gruber of Plainsfield, Ill., two sisters - Fern Harbison of Murphysboro and Marian Hammack of California, longtime friend - James Fairbanks of Johnston City, eight great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Wayne King officiating.

Friends were able to call from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Per Ina's request, cremation was held following the funeral service.

Friends may make memorials to the St. Jude Children's Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.