In memory of John Dowd King
Baptism is one of the two sacraments or "signs of grace" that God has given us, From the time of Abraham, God's people have been given a visible sign of God's favor toward them. In the Old Testament, that sign was the circumcision of males, but in the New Testament, God changed that visible sign to the baptism of believers and their children.
John Dowd King was born in Buena Vista, Chickasaw County, Mississippi in 1886 on October 12. He was the oldest son of Charles Richard and Harriet Dowd Smith King. After attending public schools in Buena Vista and Okolona, MS, Mr. King attended Mississippi A and M (now known as Mississippi State University) and the University of Mississippi prior to his service in the United States Navy during World War L. He married George Leslie Bridges on February 18, 1920 in New Albany, MS and they lived most of their lives in Okolona where he was associated in family businesses and farming interests and later was with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The King family were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Okolona, where Mr. King served as deacon, elder, church treasurer and church school superintendent, In 1929 he served in every court of the church – the local Session, the Presbytery, the Synod, and General Assembly. After his death on August 22, 1968, the Session of the First Presbyterian Church passed a resolution in honor of his many years of service. The following, written by his pastor, is an excerpt: “That we acknowledge the goodness and wisdom of God in giving to our Church and community the testimony of such a loyal Elder and Christian life. He was a devoted husband, a kindly father, a good citizen and a loyal Christian.” His daughter, Hattie Mallory King Maxwell, is a member of this congregation. This window in his memory was given by the Self Foundation of Marks, MS. Pictured with him is granddaughter, Leslie Riesterer.