Dicki Lee King

Dicki Lee King, 77, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on June 7, 2021 after a brief and sudden illness. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at Oxford-University United Methodist Church with Reverend Eddie Rester and Reverend Warren Black officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon in the atrium at the church. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

A lifelong resident of Oxford, Mississippi, Dicki was the daughter of Walter C. Lee and Dicksie Crenshaw Lee. She married her high-school sweetheart, John W. King, on Oct. 18, 1964. After graduating from University High School, she attended the University of Mississippi where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. Dicki went on to teach English at Oxford Junior High School for many years, instilling a love for language and stories in hundreds of Oxford children.

An artist and storyteller at heart, Dicki funneled her creativity into painting, writing, and gardening. Her garden on Price Street was her pride and joy. Over the years she adopted countless cats and dogs, raised horses, read stacks of British mysteries, and told countless family stories that will be passed on by her children and grandchildren. 

Dicki was a lifelong member of Oxford-University United Methodist Church, a founder of the Oxford Boys and Girls Club, and passionate about leaving behind a better world for her grandchildren.  She was a distinguished, 30-year member of the Oxford Garden Club and was active in many of their events. She was also a member of the Master Gardeners, the Pilot Club, the Exchange Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the League of Women Voters. In 2018 she was nominated as a Woman of Distinction by the Oxford Girl Scouts.

Dicki was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband of 57 years, John Wallace King, her son Ben (Karolina), daughter Merrill (Tim) Nordstrom, her five beloved grandchildren (Baxter and Beatrice King, and Eli, Will, and Kate Nordstrom) and her sister Fonda (Joe) Stewart. They will all miss her wit, stories, and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oxford Boys and Girls Club, 413 Washington Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.