Praxedes Laming King

Praxedes Laming King passed peacefully in her sleep and into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Colonial Rehab & Living in Bay City, Texas following a brief but brave battle with cancer. She was 89 years young.  Praxedes was born on September 20, 1933 in Burauen CIty on the island of Leyte, Philippines to the late Esperanza Tonido and Patricio Laming.

Praxedes led a blessed, full and independent life with her favorite pastime talking to family, friends and close neighbors, getting to know them and also sharing stories of her life.  If she lost track she would simply begin another from a different chapter of her life and with such vivid memories, diverse background and extraordinary experiences growing up abroad, one could be intuned and fascinated, listening to her for hours.  Praxedes greeted everyone with her million dollar smile and all she met in a short time would come to know her as "Ms. Pat or Auntie Pat", their cherished friend, surrogate mom and grandmother, someone who could always lift your spirits and also had an endless supply of "I love you" when needed.

Praxedes grew up in the Philippines in a close knit family and community, all of modest means and during very trying times, although you would never presume this from her stories of childhood, her cheerful outlook and her enthusiasm for life.  As the oldest of 4 children, at 7 years old Praxedes was caretaker for her 3 younger siblings while her parents were forced to work the rice fields and building roads during the WWII Occupation.  During this time she used her ingenuity, wit, determination and inner strength to ensure their survival and care by entertaining them, planting and picking vegetables and teaching them to fish for their meals.  During those challenging early years Praxedes triumphed by choosing to always look at the glass half full and by her own mother’s example and guidance to “always give thanks to God in all circumstances" (for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, Thess 5:18), which was reflected throughout her life in her positive attitude, courage and how she overcame life's challenges and health setbacks the past year.  Her fondest memory of the war was US soldiers returning at WWII’s end and passing out Hershey Bars to the children of her village and at 89, she still displayed excitement and a childlike grin, recalling her first taste of chocolate at 9 years old.

Praxedes left her home island in her 20's to work at her Aunt's restaurant in Manila where she eventually met the love of her life, John Dee King.  The two wed on June 17, 1961, in the Philippines while John was serving in the United States Air Force at Clark AFB and where they started growing their beautiful extended family of 6 children.  Later, John was transferred to Laughlin AFB, in Del Rio, Texas, where the family settled and together to finish raising their family and later enjoying their retirement years together.  Praxedes retired from HIcks Ponder Factory where she used her seamstress talents to make Levi Jeans, a career she truly was proud of and enjoyed.  Praxedes and John were married for 25 wonderful years until the time of John’s passing on April 3, 1987 and in time Praxedes finding happiness again by filling her days designing and sewing clothes for her grandchildren, traveling to visit children and friends, and later utilizing her childhood skills to become an expert and avid gardener, planting and providing an abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables to family, friends and neighbors, which gave her so much joy.  From sunup to sundown until the age of 88 years, Praxedes could only be found outside, with a smile on her face, gardening tools in hand and a straw hat to protect her from the beating sun, this where she thrived and was most happy, planting everything from exquisite flowers to giant Asian squash and fruitful banana trees and she was always amazed and excited to see God’s creations grow.

Her family will always fondly remember their Mom for her love of reading her bible scriptures, her amazing talents and her abundant love for her family and friends and as a true legacy to all who knew her for making the most of each day, her strong will to live and her unwavering faith in God.  She is also a true example of God's amazing love and grace to have blessed our family for so long with her wonderful and inspiring presence and to leave us with such cherished memories, to be forever loved and never to be forgotten.

Praxedes is survived by her children Patricia Ann Billings (the late Kim Eric), Daniel Dee King (Katherine), many cherished grandchildren and 3 precious great-grandchildren of which she was all so proud of.  She is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, and her children Jocylene Antonio, Denzel King, Denise Prado, Catherine King and granddaughter Michelle King.  The family would like to give special thanks and sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at Colonial Rehab and Dr. Shanta D’Lima for enhancing her quality of life in her final year and for all the love and care shown to her, and to her cherished friend and caregiver Deborah Salazar for her loving companionship and exceptional care.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Tuesday, June 13th from 8:00-9:30 A.M. at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 2020 N. Bedell Ave., Del Rio, Texas 78840.  Funeral mass to begin at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Del Rio with Father Michael Coronado officiating.  Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Pall bearers are Dan King, Daniel King, Ray Antonio, Austin Antonio, Joseph Antonio and Joe Everett.

In lieu of flowers, family requests you make a donation in Praxedes name to the charity of your choice.