Virginia "Ginny" Mae King

Virginia (Ginny) Mae King, age 98, of Shalimar, FL, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021. She was born on November 12, 1922 in Jenkins, KY to Dixie and Millard Gambill. Ginny was the second of nine children and grew up in the coal-mining town of Haymond, KY. She enjoyed playing sports, attending church camps and being in the high school marching band. Her father was fatally injured in a coal mining accident when she was only 13 years old. Her mother then had to go to work and Ginny took on a major role of caring for her younger siblings. 

After graduating high school, Ginny went to Spencerian Business School in Louisville, then worked at the Navel Ordinance Plant. Soon after, her sister Margie joined her. They saved money to buy a house and bring the rest of their family to the city. 

In 1950, Ginny married David King, an Air Force pilot. Together they raised two daughters. They made numerous moves with the military, including Japan and Okinawa. At the time of David’s retirement, they were stationed at Eglin AFB then settled in Shalimar, FL.  

Ginny worked many years at antique shops, volunteered with Girl Scouts, attended church and was a talented seamstress. She was exceptionally brave, generous, thoughtful, loving and kind. She was devoted to her entire family and loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren. 

Ginny will be dearly missed by her daughters; Donna Philippona and Sharon Von Nieda (Mark), grandchildren; Lauren, Erica, Luke, Rachel and Derek; 3 remaining siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and 5 siblings. 

Services will be Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 2 PM at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery. 

Donations may be made to the Christian Appalachian Project at www.christianapp.org in Ginny's memory.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com