Merle King

Merle King, 92, of Benton, Ark. passed away October 11th, 2016. She was born in Bauxite, Ark., August 6, 1924 To Frank & Edyth Kirkpatrick. She was the first female Sam Walton chose to become an assistant store manager which led to a total of 44 years spent with Walmart as both a manager and an hourly associate. Her work with Walmart was spent primarily with various assignments to all 3 Benton stores. She also served at the Sheridan and McGehee Walmart stores and spent several years on special assignments to perform fixture and merchandise set-up of new stores from Florida to Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Dan and Maud Walden, her parents, brothers Paul & John Kirkpatrick, second husband Leroy King and her first husband, and father of her three children, Joe M. Prichard. Her second oldest son, Kirk passed in 2006. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Prichard Biggs, husband Randy Biggs of Benton, and grandchild, Kelly Garrett and great grandchildren Emily Ward and Cole Garrett; and step-grandchildren, by Susan, Amy, Jacob & Brandon; step-grandchildren Gabriel, Maddie, and Greta; grandchildren by deceased Kirk Prichard are, April, Adam, Lon, & Matthew; Great Grandchildren Laura, Luke, Evanne, Tarin, Serenity & Kaden. Step-children of second husband Leroy include Linda, Marylyn & Julie and step-grandchildren, Heather, Christian, Mary, Jason, Janell, & Jeremy; son, Doug Prichard of Fayetteville, his wife Barbara, and children, Eric, Jim, Brandon and J.D. Prichard; gandchildren, Jessica, Paige & Caden. She took a special patriotic pride in her nine close relatives who have served our country in the military- brother, John, Navy in WWII, Navy husband Joe Prichard survived Pearl Harbor and participated in South Pacific campaigns. Brother Paul served as a Lieutenant in Korea. Son, Retired Army LTC Doug Prichard served part of his career in Vietnam. All four of Doug's sons have also served. Eric, former Army Captain and Brandon Prichard, Army Sgt. Still serving are Jim, Air Force Colonel (Pilot), and Army Physician, Major J.D. Prichard. Kirk Prichard's son Adam served in the Navy. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 14 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 15 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Smith Rosemont Cemetery. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.