Dora "Dusty" Penny King

Dora “Dusty” Penny King Age: 80 Born: June 9, 1944 Died: December 6, 2024

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. – Vivian Greene

Dusty was the kind of person who never met a stranger. Her laugh could light up a room, her warm and inviting smile and the glow in her eyes made you feel loved. Her presence had a way of making everyone feel seen and cherished.

Dusty’s early life taught her resilience and gratitude. Born into humble beginnings in the sandhills of Brownfield, Texas, she was the fifth of six children raised in a dirt-floor shanty. Life wasn’t easy—at one point, Dusty lived with an aunt and was even shuffled to an orphanage. Yet, she always found strength in her challenges.

At 14, Dusty left school after completing the 9th grade and began forging her path. She moved to California and then Oklahoma, where she married and, at 16, gave birth to Toni, her only biological child. After divorcing, Dusty soon met the love of her life, Carl King, and they married in Las Vegas in 1971. Dusty became a proud “bonus mom” to Carlene, Rick, Randy, and Jim. Their first home as a family was P-13 at Lake Lotawana, and their life together was filled with love, laughter, and determination.

Dusty wasn’t just a devoted wife and mother—she was also a fighter and a problem-solver. When the fuel shortage of the 1970s threatened King Oil Company, she couldn’t sit idly by. She found an ally and began corresponding with Senator Tom Eagleton to advocate for the company. Once the crisis passed, Dusty completed some unfinished business—getting her GED. In 1979, King Oil had its 25th anniversary, and Dusty and Carl celebrated by building their dream home, “Evergreen,” at Smithville Lake. Its name was inspired by the love song in the movie “A Star is Born” with Barbara Streisand.

Dusty brought magic into the lives of her family and everyone who knew her. Summers at Evergreen were filled with swimming, fishing, gardening, and week-long cousin adventures. Holidays were unforgettable, with Easter egg hunts at Parker Pond, King Oil’s Fourth of July celebrations, and Christmas tables lovingly set for all, even the kids’ table was made to feel special.

Dusty taught her grandchildren to find joy in simple things, from making little tie quilts and arts and crafts long before Pinterest existed, to fishing in the pond, or skateboarding down her curved driveway. Everything she did was infused with love and thoughtfulness, turning ordinary moments into lifelong memories. 

In the mid-1990’s, Dusty and Carl decided snowy winters in Missouri weren’t for them anymore, so they followed Carol, Howard, Dorothy, and O.J. Hawkins to Texas for the winter. They found a perfect house on a little golf course and Dusty felt like she had returned to her roots. Following Carl’s death in 2015, she continued to spend most of her time there. It was also where she met George Langworthy, who became her companion for five years until his passing.

After leaving Evergreen, Dusty and Carl made their home in Liberty, where Dusty became a bonus grandma to the neighborhood children. She loved watching them play in the park, hosting tea parties for the little girls, and checking in on her neighbors. Children loved visiting her and her spirited Yorkie, Rambo, during their walks.

Dusty loved home, but she also loved to travel. She even became a travel agent to book her adventures. Many memorable trips were taken with family and friends to the Caribbean, Alaska, Paris, Ireland, Panama Canal, Mexico, and Canada. Her favorite way to travel was by ship and she enjoyed over 40 cruises in her lifetime. Other favorite activities included hunting ducks and geese at the family farm at Squaw Creek, elk hunting in Colorado, and fishing trips to Branson and Canada.

She had a quick wit and a sense of humor that endeared her to everyone, including her friends at Benton House Assisted Living. Dusty’s ability to make people smile, often with a sweet compliment or funny one-liner, was a hallmark of her personality.

Dusty is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl; her parents, Izona Mozella Evers Penny, and William Arthur Penny; four sisters; one brother; grandson BJ Houghton; granddaughter Erin Babbit; and son-in-law Alan Houghton.

She is survived by her sister JoAnn Langley; sister-in-law Carol Hawkins; her children Toni Houghton, Carlene Babbit (Steve), Rick King (Christine), Randy King, and Jim King (Renee); grandchildren Stephana Bekebrede (Matt), Leigh Bekebrede (Jason), Angela Kasten (Ken), James Babbit, Jimmy King (Chandra), C.J. King, and Taz King; and great-grandchildren Evan and Carleigh Wilson, Brody and Quintin Bekebrede, Bryan, Natalie, and Ben Kasten, Lane and Logan Fortner, Campbell and Ethan Bekebrede, and Jimmy, Aiden, and Kayla King.

Dusty’s legacy is simple but profound: You don’t have to be blood to be family. It’s all about love. She will always be the heart of who we are, and we will forever follow in her footsteps, dancing in the rain (barefoot, of course).

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Services at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, Liberty, Missouri

1:00 p.m. Visitation

2:00 p.m. Funeral Service

Burial to follow at Terrace Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family would like to thank the staff at K.C. Hospice House, North Kansas City, for their compassionate care.