Maria Louisa King, 79, of Austin, Texas, passed away on March 28, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born in Marfa, Texas, to the late Angelita Chavez and Narciso Sanchez on July 21, 1941. She was married to Jim King where they lived together in Austin.
She is survived by her two daughters: Nicole Garner of Little Elm, Texas, and Laura King of Austin. She is also survived by her three grandsons: Adam King, Ryan Garner and Andrew Garner.
The funeral service will be held Friday, April 2, at 1 p.m. at the Cook Walden Funeral Home in Austin. The burial will take place at the Cook Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park.
Maria was a successful hair stylist throughout the ‘80s who catered to elite clientele throughout the Texas capital. Afterwards, she served for over 20 years as a customer service representative for the Dillard’s Company. Truly her career was representative of her personal life as Maria was always known by friends and family to be a “well-put-together” lady of the highest class.
She always expressed a great love for music, history and art. Visiting the Bob Bullock Museum and LBJ Presidential Library and Museum were some of her favorite pastimes. Her favorite musician was the pianist Van Cliburn; in fact, she was such a fan that he even sent Maria two dozen roses in appreciation for her following.
Her love for music and art was only surpassed by love for her church, country and the great state of Texas. She was known for exercising her voice to frequently write politicians and people of influence to share her thoughts and opinions. Her house was filled with numerous letters and responses from state representatives, senators and even presidents. Even later in life, she would carry the number for Senator Ted Cruz in her purse. Although soft spoken, she was always active and unafraid to speak of what she felt was right, to whomever she felt needed to hear it.
Maria faced many challenges in her life and faced them head on with incredible determination. From being a single mother to helping raise her grandchildren, she always strove to be an unstoppable force for her family –– focused on working, providing and caring for both her daughters and grandsons. She successfully taught her daughters independence and self-sufficiency from an early age and lived to see them both become successful women and dedicated mothers. Later in life, she was blessed with her daughter and grandson, Laura and Adam, and the at-home care they provided for her. This allowed her to have an active and full life throughout her twilight years.
Although we know Maria is in a better place, at home in heaven, her legacy lives on through the family that survives her. She will be remembered fondly and missed by all who crossed her path.