Rosa M. McDaniel -King, 84, of Lebanon, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon. She was born Margaret Rosa Maude McCoury on April 20, 1939, in Banner Elk, NC, the eldest daughter of ten children of Eddie and Anna (Roth) McCoury. She was the granddaughter of Timmy and Maude McCoury of Senia, NC and Adam and Rosa Roth of Lebanon.
Rosa graduated as valedictorian from Cranberry High School in Cranberry, NC in 1956, and worked her way through one year at Appalachian State Teachers College in Boone, NC. She then came to Indiana to live with her Uncle and Aunt, Alfred and Phyllis McIntyre. Rosa worked for six years for Farm Bureau Insurance, before going to work for McDaniel Jewelry. She was married to Buren McDaniel in March 1968 and he died September 6, 1969, leaving her the Jewelry Store. On October 4, 1990, she married John D. King, and he died May 29, 2023. Rosa assisted her husband, John, in his King’s Tax Service. Rosa operated McDaniel Jewelry for fifty years. In 1994 she was given Half Century Business Award by Governor Frank O’Bannon.
Rosa was a member of ESA Sorority for 49 years and later became a member of the Beta Athena Chapter of ESA. She was one of the founding members of the Center Stage Community Theatre, where she served on the board as President, Vice President, and as Treasurer for 15 years. She served as an actress, producer, and a costumer over the years. When Center Stage produced “Angel Street,” Rosa cut a pattern out of newspaper and made an 1880’s dress, which won an Encore Award for best costume.
Rosa was also a life member of the Boone County Historical Society, where she served two terms on the board, and a member of the Lebanon Lady Elks. She was the youngest volunteer as a Gray Lady at age 24, at Witham Hospital, and later became a volunteer.
Rosa was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she served on the Parish Council for two terms and as an Usher with her husband. A picture of St. Joseph Catholic Church taken in 1927, includes her grandmother, Rosa Roth, and her aunt, Mary Roth Ellerkamp of Lebanon.
Rosa was a Bail Bondsman in Boone County for five years. For over 25 years, Rosa gave programs on vintage clothing with proceeds going to the Arc of Boone County. In 1999, she was named Lady Elk of the year for giving her vintage clothing program at the French Lick Hotel for the Elks State Convention. She also gave her program for the 100-year anniversary of the then Boone County State Bank. Rosa modeled for five years in the L.S. Ayers Tea Room. She also modeled in her vintage clothing for the Indianapolis Art League for six years.
Rosa loved the July 4th parades, walking and giving out candy or balloons with a nickel in them. For many years, you could see her on her motorcycle after work, taking a ride in the country. In 1994, she was named Mrs. Congeniality in the Mrs. Boone County Pageant. She enjoyed antiques, vintage clothing, acting, gardening, movies, and cats.
Survivors include her sister, Mary Perez; 21 nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and nephews in North Carolina; step-children, Vicktoria King of Fortville, Shanda McPike of Zionsville, and John P. (Nora) King of Clarkston, MI; and step-grandchildren, Sydney King, Wiley King, Liam McPike, Isla McPike, Michael McDaniel, and Timothy McDaniel
In addition to her parents and husbands, Rosa was preceded in death by her brothers, Tommy McCoury, T.Y. McCoury, Eddie McCoury, and David McCoury; sisters, Colleen Martincak, Sheila Perry, Bertha Young, and Barbara Ward; and step-son, James McDaniel.
Family and friends will gather Saturday, April 20, for visitation from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the Mass at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon. Rosa will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lebanon.
The family requests no flowers, gifts may be made in memory and remembrance of Rosa to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Boone County Senior Services, Center Stage Theater, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Final care of Rosa has been entrusted to the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website where you may sign her online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com.
