Our beloved father David McKinley King, Sr. was born on Friday, July 10, 1942 in Albemarle County,
Virginia to the delight and blessing of Clarence Elmo King and Nina Victoria Brown King. He
transitioned to eternal life on Monday, June 6, 2022 at Memorial Regional Medical Center. David was
preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Elmo King and Nina Victoria Brown King, his loving wife of
36 years Claire Ezelia King and daughter, Tara Thalia King.
David attended Ashtabula High School in Ohio and two years at Virginia Union University in Virginia.
It is there that Dad met his first love my mother, Claire Ezelia Taylor Booth. They were inseparable,
traveled and did everything together. The love, laughter, and joy they shared was immeasurable and
genuine. A lot of love and joy, as well as pranks, were shared and flowed through their household
over the years. At times it was hard to tell sometimes who were the children and who were the
parents. David and Claire made their family and friends welcomed. They joined in holy matrimony
August 15. Through the years David and Claire were blessed with seven beautiful children. Three
sons, David McKinley King, Jr. (Shaunte); Lafonta Elmo King, and Enos Odell King (Heather) and four
daughters, Montese LaMour King, Tara Thalia King - deceased, Marshell Ezelia King, and Nila Nia King.
Dad retired from GRTC after 35 years of faithful service. He had a deep commitment and belief in
God. Dad always saw the beauty in everything. David and Claire had a love for rescuing and raising
animals and had many over the years. David and Claire taught their children the true meaning of
being a Christian and how to love, look after each other, and respect one another. David along with
Claire laid down a good foundation for their children, grandchildren, and family to follow.
Therefore, on Monday, June 6, 2022, David decided to willing answer HIS call as He whispered,
“David, Come. You have done well and our Father have blessed you. Come and receive your
inheritance, a mansion that has been prepared for you since the creation of the World. Come where
perfect love flows from around the throne of Grace. Come and rest in my Father’s house where
streets are paved of gold.” David gladly took the Master’s hand and stepped into the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Blessed to have been a part of Dad’s life and cherishing his precious memories are his wife of five
years, Barbara Gills Massey-King, six surviving children, David McKinley King, Jr. (Shaunte), Montese
LaMour King, Lafonta Elmo King, Enos Odell King(Heather), Marshell Ezelia King, and Nila Nia King , a
host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, two sisters, Agnes Stovall, Hazel Holliday, two
brothers, Paul Carson, and Odell King, Franklin E “June” Higgins, Jr., a host of cousins, nieces, nephews
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