Alice King

Alice Marie Martin King, 78, of Stanley, NM passed away on Sunday, December 7 2008 in Albuquerque, NM with her loving family beside her. Alice King, New Mexico’s longest serving First Lady was born to Kenneth and Audra (Farmer) Martin in Moriarty, NM on May 13, 1930. Alice was a life long resident of Stanley, NM. She married Bruce King on June 1, 1947 at the Moriarty Baptist Church in Moriarty, NM. She has two sons, Bill and Gary, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Alice King has been one of the most powerful advocates for New Mexico children and families for over 30 years. As Chair of the Juvenile Justice Council, she worked closely with the Juvenile Justice Task Force to review the New Mexico Children’s Code. She chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Children and Families. This task force held many town meetings around the state and developed legislation that created the first-in-the-nation Children, Youth and Families Department. Alice King has also chaired many committees which led to a number of accomplishments in the field of education. She assembled and led a team of educators and scientists in developing a successful proposal for a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation for systemic change in Mathematics and Science Education. She led several summits on Education to develop strategies to address educational improvement. Mrs. King has served on the board of many charitable organizations, including New Mexico Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Roadrunner Division of the Red Cross, All Faiths Receiving Home, the San Felipe Del Rio Children’s Home, New Mexico Conference of Families, United Way of Albuquerque, New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation, and the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation. As a member of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Boys Ranch, she spearheaded the effort that resulted in the establishment of the New Mexico Girls Ranch. She continues to be actively involved with this institution which provides a residential opportunity for adolescent women. She helped create and is the driving force behind the New Mexico Children’s Foundation. As a parent, she was very active as a leader in her children’s activities. She taught Sunday school for several age levels and was a 4-H leader for 14 years. She was also an active band parent. She was a Charter member and state official of the New Mexico Cowbelles, a national women’s organization which promotes the livestock industry. Among the many awards Mrs. King has received are the National Jewish Hospital and Research Center Humanitarian Award, Distinguished Women Award from the University of New Mexico Alumni Association, the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award, Woman of Distinction in the Field of Agriculture, Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Outstanding Youth Advocate Award from Youth Development, Inc., Big Brothers/Big Sisters Recognition Award, and an Award from the New Mexico Conference on Aging. Mrs. King was the first inductee into the New Mexico Women’s Hall of Fame. She has received an Honorary Associates Degree from Santa Fe Community College and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from New Mexico State University. Alice is preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Caitlyn King. She is survived by her husband, Bruce King of Stanley, NM; two sons, Bill King of Stanley, NM and Gary King and his wife, Yolanda of Stanley, NM; brother, Kenneth Martin of Moriarty, NM; sisters, Shirley Repass and her husband Bob of Moriarty, NM and Newlyn Witt of Barstow, CA; grandchildren, Becky and Tom Spindle; Jenny and Josh Caldes; Stacy King; and Eric and Cameron Anderson; and eight great grandchildren. Alice will lie in state at the New Mexico State Capital from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Funeral services will be at the Moriarty High School Gymnasium in Moriarty, NM on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:00am with The Reverend Dr. Russell C. Lee, Lutheran Pastor officiating. Pallbearers are David King, Sam L. King, Jerry King, Kenneth Lloyd Martin, Robert Glenn Repass, Tom Spindle, Eric Anderson, and Josh Caldes. Honorary Pallbearers are Becky Spindle, Jenny Caldes, Stacy King, Amber Medlock, and David Pickard. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to the NM Children’s Foundation, NM Girls Ranch, or Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Harris-Hanlon Mortuary “Our Family Serving Your Family” (505)832-6130 www.Harris-HanlonMortuary.com