Mary Rankin Chapin King

King, Mary Rankin Chapin, 91, of St. Petersburg, FL died Thursday, July 29, 2004. Born in Tarkio, Missouri on January 24, 1913, she was the daughter of Myrtle Ruth Wilson, United Presbyterian missionary teacher in Egypt, and William McKee Rankin, dealer in lumber. Mary graduated from Tarkio College in 1936 with an AB degree. She was a fourth-generation educator and started her teaching career at Morning Sun, a one-room country school in Westboro, MO. On September 13, 1937, she married Paul Wesley Chapin of Buffalo, NY, who completed Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary and was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1938. Together they served pastorates in New Castle, PA, St. Joseph, MO, Kansas City, MO and Kenner, LA, a suburb of New Orleans. They had three children, Janice Ruth, David Paul and Mary Gwendolyn. In 1964, Paul Chapin died suddenly. Mary continued full-time elementary school teaching, received her Master of Education from Tulane University, 1969 and later retired from the Jefferson Parish public schools in 1979. In 1982, Mary married Percy Edward ?Bill? King. They shared a love for travel and the arts. He died in 1988. She was very devoted to her family and her church. She loved music, art, reading, politics and travel and passed on these passions to her children and their children. She traveled to five continents and took two freighter cruises to South America and Africa. Mary was always devoted to the Presbyterian Church being baptized as an infant, teaching Sunday School, directing children?s choirs and faithfully participating in worship and service. After moving to Florida in 1994, she was an associate member of Christ United Methodist Church where her daughter is Director of Music. Last Sunday, July 25th, was one of the few Sundays she ever missed attending worship in her entire life. Mary also enjoyed working with the American Association of University Women, the Repulican Party and the Daughters of the American Revolution being a descendant of four Revolutionary War soldiers. Her Scotch-Irish forebears helped settle our nation going from the Carolinas to providing service as the last territorial governor of Arizona. History was a favorite interest of Mary?s. She had an undying curiosity about life and an unquenched thirst for learning which she imparted with great zeal to her progeny. Mary is survived by her daughter, Dr. Janice Chapin Buchanan, St. Petersburg, FL, her son and daughter-in-law, David and Betsy Chapin, Tarkio, MO and her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Gwen and Ben Hulsey, Houston, TX; grandchildren and spouses, Sarah Brockus and Nick van Hoogstraten, Hasting-on-Hudson, NY, Paul and Agnes Brockus, Clearwater, FL, Bruce Rankin and Colette Chapin, Kansas City, MO, Adam Chapin Brockus of Seattle, WA, Maria and Leroy Watson, St. Petersburg, Laura Hulsey and William Kelsey, Houston, TX, Lydia Chapin and Brooks Hurst, Tarkio, MO, and Amanda Gwendolyn Hulsey, New York City, her step-grandson, John Buchanan, Jr. and wife Kim, St. Petersburg; great-grandchildren, Wilson and Carter Kelsey, Alissa, Isabella and Gus Hurst, Bradley Chapin, Matthew and Christine Brockus and Anya Chapin and Naomi van Hoogstraten and step-grandchildren, Kayla and Morgan Buchanan, Michael Symes, Scott Klein and Javonte Darling. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Barker, Gallatin, MO, three nieces and their families. Mary was predeceased by her son-in-law, John D. Buchanan and step-great grandchild, Jacob Buchanan. Mary will be buried beside her beloved first husband at Mt. Washington Cemetery, Independence, MO, Sunday, August 1st, 1:00pm service officiated by The Rev. Duane Stevens, First Presbyterian Church, Independence. A Memorial Service will follow Saturday, August 21st, 10:00am at Westminster Suncoast Manor Chapel, The Rev. Tom Norton, Christ United Methodist Church officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church, 467 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel.