After she graduated from Clayton State University, Barbara Eason King started a career in Christian music in 1987. She worked with a number of prominent labels. As Director of Radio Promotions for Benson Records, she achieved numerous #1 radio hits and top ten songs for various artists. Later she worked as Director of Marketing on the Provident Music Group Family of Labels.
This team represented Reunion Records, Benson Records, and Diadem Records artists including Michael W. Smith, Clay Crosse, Kathy Troccoli, NewSong, and Bob Carlisle. Later in her career, she founded her marketing agency and worked with the American Marketing Association. A close friend, Dennis Disney, remembered this about her.
“I met Barb King nearly 35 years ago when I joined the marketing team at Benson Music Group,” says the industry veteran. “In the eight years we worked together, she distinguished herself as a person of great skill, tremendous enthusiasm, and deep faith. Her intense work ethic was surpassed only by her tenacious integrity and undeniable love for her family. She will be greatly missed on this side of heaven.”
Her deep faith sustained her during medical issues that defined her later life. She was married to her husband, Reverend Dean King for 32 years. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Olivia Grace King. She was motivated by a strong desire to minister to others. She strove her entire life to uplift and encourage people on their faith journey.
Before her passing, she wrote that: “God draws near to us when our eyes get off Him and onto our circumstances. Every day is a gift. We are allowed one more time to get it right and do the things God has called us to do and not get caught up in our selfish behavior and desires. This morning I was realizing the cost the disciples gave to obtain that trust in God.”
She added “I would like to be there at some point in the legacy of my life, but I am not sure what brings forth such trust and understanding. I am grateful for each day to live more fully for God.” Another prominent Christian, President Jimmy Carter, also passed recently. While he was a historically unpopular one-term president, many remember the man for his deep faith and Christian values. One pastor, 86-year-old Dr. Bob Maddox, met Carter years ago and had a long friendship with the man. He expressed his fond memories of the man in an interview with local news.
“I have enormous respect for him and Rosalynn both and count it a great privilege to have known President Jimmy Carter. It’s just one of the great moments of my life,” said the Pastor. He stressed that the Carters understood Jesus in that they believed resolutely in helping those in need. Maddox was worried about the tense retaliation Carter had with evangelical leaders.
Maddox insisted he was “No doubt, the greatest post-president that we’ve had,” Dr. Maddox said in the time since, he’s grown even closer to the Carters, gathering at least once a year. The pastor said we may not have known at the time that faith was deeply embedded in every decision our nation’s 39th president made.“ He incorporated the best of who we are, and we’ll miss that,” he concluded.