Earline Elizabeth Heath was born on this day in 1913, in Winston-Salem. She graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School and attended Greensboro College.
Earline won a scholarship to Greensboro College for voice training.
She married Joseph Wallace King, her classmate at R. J. Reynolds High School, and they moved to Washington, DC. Earline and Joe worked and performed in a variety of venues, including joining the USO as performers during World War II.
Earline began her 43-year career as a sculptor when she took a sculpture class at Hanes Community Center. Over the years, she completed 345 commissions and numerous limited editions.
Her public works are particularly notable, and include the following statues in Winston-Salem: R. J. Reynolds on horseback, Simon G. Atkins, John M. Gold, and Bowman Gray Sr. A very visible and inspirational sculpture is “Alive, Beautiful, and Victorious,” located at the Allegacy Federal Credit Union water park, dedicated as a tribute to women cancer survivors.
Earline exhibited her sculptures throughout the United States and in Italy. She was recognized for her talent by the State of North Carolina and by her alma mater. And, she taught sculpture classes to aspiring sculptors for 23 years.
Earline was active in local and civic organizations, such as the Mozart Club, Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, Amos Cottage, and Brenner Children’s Hospital. She was a life member of the Twin City Club, and served as the first woman president of the club for two terms.
The Arts Council commemorated the Sculpture and Pottery Studio in her name in the new Arts Council Center.
When Earline passed away in 2011, at the age of 98, she was working on a sculpture of Jesus for First Baptist Church.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
