Betty A. King, 69, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 5:00 P.M. on January 22, 2011 at her residence in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mrs. King was born on May 2, 1941 in Belleville, Illinois the daughter of Thomas Long and Dorothy (Lane) Long. She married Bill King on June 30, 1957 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Surviving family member include her mother: Dorothy Smothers and husband Douglas of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; husband: Bill King of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 sons: Billy Tom King and wife Mary of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Rodney King and wife Dana of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 daughters: Ronda McDowell and husband Mike of Peoria, Arizona and Melody Wilson and husband Kevin of Northern California; 10 grandchildren: Niki Williams and husband Derek, Sam King, Kaylin King, Emily McDowell, Brandon McDowell, Brice Moll, Frankie Moll, Allan Moll, Lydia King and Hanna King; brother: Tommie Long and wife Rachel of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; sister-in-law: Shirley Pettit and husband Wayne of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; several nieces and nephews also survive. Her father preceded in death. Betty was an author, newspaper columnist, devotional writer, freelance writer and speaker. She has published credits in newspapers, magazines, poetry books and anthologies. Betty is an author of four published books: It Takes Two Mountains To Make A Valley, But - It Was In The Valleys I Grew, The Fragrance of Life and Safe and Secure In The Palm Of His Hand. She was also a member of Central Christian Church and the Roaring 20's Club in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. MEMORIAL SERVICE: will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Randy Sells and Mr. Jamie Allen will officiate. For those who wish, memorials may be given to Central Christian Church or Donor's Choice and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864. Roaring 20's Club in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.