Shirley Anne Smith King embarked on her heavenly journey on July 13, 2024 at the age of 88, and just three days prior to her 89th birthday. She passed peacefully and surrounded by family at her home in Ponte Vedra, Florida.
Shirley was born on July 16, 1935, in Glennville, Georgia, to Jenice Kicklighter Smith and William Quintin Smith. She grew up on the family farm alongside her brother, William Neil Smith (deceased).
Shirley graduated from high school in 1951 at the age of 16 and then attended Georgia Southern University, earning her degree in Education in just three years. In college, she met and fell in love with Henry (Harry) Lee King. They married in Glennville, Georgia, on August 15, 1954, and enjoyed 66 wonderful years together until Harry's passing on November 1, 2020.
Originally residing in Thomasville, Georgia, where Shirley taught second grade, they were blessed with their first son, David, who was born on Shirley’s birthday, July 16. After the family relocated to Columbus, Georgia, Shirley taught third grade and welcomed their daughter Jan. While living in Tallahassee, Florida, their youngest son, Mark, was born. The family eventually moved to Clearwater, Florida, where they resided until 1968.
After relocating to Catonsville, Maryland, Shirley taught kindergarten and later pursued her passion for tennis by working at a tennis club. In 1980, Shirley and Harry retired to Dunedin, Florida, and later to Clearwater, Florida. During the retirement years, they enjoyed their many travels together around the world, playing tennis, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, and spending time with family.
In 2015, they moved to the Jacksonville, Florida area to be closer to Jan’s family and their granddaughter and great-grandchildren. As of 2019, they resided in the same Nocatee community in Ponte Vedra, Florida which afforded so many wonderful family times together. In addition, the family living out of state traveled often to Florida to share in the love and reunions with all the family.
Shirley is survived by her three children and their families:
David Lee King (wife Debbie, children Daniel King (wife Katrina, their children Aiden and Amelie King) and Melissa King)
Jan King Vernon (husband Mark, children Laura Vernon Smith (husband Travis Smith, their children Dean, Kendal, and Wesley Smith) and Gregory Vernon (deceased))
Mark Smith King (children Sarah King and Ryan King).
She is also survived by her brother William Neil Smith’s children (Teri Smith Barrow, Ben Smith, Traci Smith Brannen, Charlie Smith and Toni Smith DeLoach).
Shirley’s greatest joy was her family. She also enjoyed gardening, needlework, tennis, billiards, and traveling with her husband. She was known by everyone for her sweet, kind, generous and gentle spirit, and her love of God.
"My strong faith in God has made my life full of Peace and Joy!”
“It is well with my soul"
A private service is planned with her immediate family, and funeral arrangements are with Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home.
