"Sondra Lynn King, 63, of DeKalb, Ill., traveled the world and left it on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, for her next great journey.

Born July 23, 1941, in Pampa, Texas, she was the daughter of Keith and Janney Bee (Meier) Hines. She was raised in Canyon, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science at West Texas State University and a doctorate in food science at Kansas State University. She was a professor at Northern Illinois University and a specialist in global nutrition issues, focusing on maternal and child malnutrition in the Third World. She was a tireless advocate for the poor, and worked in China, Costa Rica, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama and Uzbekistan. She believed that since we are blessed by God's grace, we are called to serve all God's children. She retired from teaching in 2002 and was preparing to marry the love of her life, Arthur Webb. She was a community-minded volunteer for many organizations and enjoyed singing with the Bread and Roses Choral Group. She was a role model and a light in the life of all who loved her.

She is survived by two daughters, Kimi (Jim Meernik) King and Karisa King; a granddaughter, Marlene Meernik; her mother, Janney Bee Hines; two brothers, Mike (Angela) Hines and Steve (Barbara) Hines; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and an aunt, Charlene Meier.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, March 21, at First United Methodist Church, 321 Oak St. in DeKalb, with Pastor Kitty Ganzel and Pastor David Baldridge officiating. A memorial visitation and gathering will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at Quiram-Sycamore Funeral Home, and her family also will greet friends from 2-3 p.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in care of Quiram-Sycamore Funeral Home, 1245 Somonauk St., Sycamore, IL 60178.

For information, call (815) 895-6589 or visit the Web site www.quiram.com."