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Murphy – Leaudenia King celebrated her 95th birthday at Murphy Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on Thursday, when family and friends made sure the cheerful lady knew she was special.
King was born on April 2, 1941, in what was known back then as Japan (pronounced JAY-pan) along Panther Creek in Graham County, not long before the town was consumed by the rising waters of Fontana Lake after Fontana Dam was completed.
King was married for 50 years to Bob King before his passing. They had one child and one grandchild.
About her birthday party, King said, “It’s a big surprise, it’s great. I expected phone calls but I didn’t expect all of this and I’ve got flowers in my room, too.”
Colorful cupcakes were also available to staff and visitors.
About her hobbies and past experiences, she said, “I’ve done a little of everything. I graduated from college when I was 50, so I was a beautician for years. I also worked as a floral designer.”
She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers and vegetables.
She also spoke of a little pet poodle she once had, saying, “He was so cute, everybody wanted him. I gave him to the preacher’s wife cause every time I was in the hospital, she kept him for me. The preacher’s wife has him now.”
A lot has changed since she was a youngster.
“The biggest change were the cars, they were A models,” she said, referring to the Ford Model A.
King’s advice to folks today, “All children need to be taught and start going to church. You don’t see much of that anymore. We did not have a car so my daddy carried me to church on his shoulders. I had good decent parents; they raised three children right. I was a Depression baby, so it wasn’t easy.”