Shirley E King

Shirley Elaine Wilson King went to be with God on Saturday, May 1, 2021.  Her daily devotions with Him were a constant source of comfort to her, even as she bravely battled cancer for over three years. She was born in Canandaigua, New York on January 18, 1930 to Violet and Floyd Ferguson, and was adopted in 1933 by her grandmother and step-grandfather, Sophia & Jerome Wilson. She attended Canandaigua Academy and graduated Valedictorian Class of 1947. Shirley worked as secretary to the High School Principal and later became a legal secretary and bookkeeper in New York as well as in Naples, Florida.  She moved to Naples in April 1956 with her husband and their two daughters.  Her health improved with that move, and she subsequently spent the next 50 years in Naples, even after the death of her husband. Some of her most precious memories were times spent collecting shells on the beach with her family. In November 2006, she moved to Lake City to be near her daughter and grandson.

Shirley is pre-deceased by beloved relatives: grandmother, Sophia Wilson; sister, Lois Minnamon; three husbands, Harland S. Kornbau, Gillis C. Metcalf Jr., and Malcolm “Monty” King Jr; infant daughter, Patricia; and daughter, Carol Hoffman in 2002; Step-daughter, Pamela Lance; step-father, Gordon S. VanGelder; mother, Violet VanGelder; Step-grandsons, Brad Metcalf and Christopher Lawing, and beloved dogs, Socks, Brandi, and Daisy.

Survivors include her beloved daughter, Susan Tuell;  beloved grandson, Derrick (Vickie) Tuell; nieces Michelle (Bob) Mills and Kim (Ralph) Sonderegger; nephew, Rob (Linda) Kindleberger; nieces Becky & Judy Kindleberger; Stepson, Roger (Kathy) Metcalf; Step-grandsons, Todd and Mark Metcalf; Step-son-in-law, Paul Lance; Step-daughter, Deborah Lawing; step-grandson, Ryan (Allison) Lawing; and step-granddaughter, Jennifer Lawing.  Also left to cherish her memory are great grandchildren, Abigail Tuell, Collin Tuell, and Declan Messer; and step-great grandchildren, Colson and Luke Lawing.

Devoted friends include Mary Roffler, the Kirkland and Kent families, Paul & Margaret Green, Tim Emeis, and other innumerable friends in Naples and Lake City. Shirley always said, “Friends are family we choose!” There are so many wonderful friends who touched her life with their special gifts, there is not room to mention all of you, but Shirley hopes you know who you are for she loved you-every one.

Shirley was a member of the Lake City Police Department Citizens Police Academy Alumni (CPAAA), Friends of the Library, Mikesville Presbyterian Church, and United Way of Suwannee Valley.

In the past, she taught Sunday School, Girl Scout troops in which her daughters participated, sang in church choirs, and spent many happy hours crocheting several hundred afghans, many of which she donated to Hospice in Naples and Lake City, to United Way, to Solaris and Cancer Care Center of Lake City, and for CPAAA auctions through the Policeman’s Balls.  She always told the recipients, “There is love in every stitch.” She was an avid reader and outstanding Scrabble player, loved playing games of all kinds, and could best the best in Canasta.

Shirley will be remembered with love by every life she touched in her 91 years here on this earth.  There will be a graveside service on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:30 AM at Naples Memorial Park in Naples, Florida.    Memorial donations may be made to the Columbia County Public Library, United Way of Suwannee Valley, Mikesville Presbyterian Church, or a hospice of your choice.  

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