Edward King, Sr. quietly departed this life and entered his eternal home on Saturday, December 12, 2020. He was born September 7, 1932 in Collins, MS to the late Oliver King and Margie Thames King. He was the fourth born of seven siblings. The family relocated from Magee, MS to Pascagoula, MS in 1940. There he attended Pascagoula Negro Public School.
During his high school years, he was a three-sport letterman, football, basketball, and track. He won the first trophy in the history of the school for his performance in track. After graduating high school, he attended Coahoma Jr. College.
He began his career with the Chronicle Star Newspaper, later known as the Mississippi Press, in 1952. After leaving Coahoma College, he returned to Pascagoula and was rehired at the Chronicle Star and retired after 45 years of dedicated service. While there, he was the first and only hot metal photo engraver for the press. He was the first black to become a member of the Mississippi’s Local Typographical Union, and became the first black president of the International Typographical Union’s local Chapter. He also became the press room foreman, a position he held for twenty-five years. As a tribute to him, the press room bears a bronze-etched plaque in his name for his dedication to his job and service to excellence.
His favorite past times were fishing, hunting, and being a jack-of-all-trades. He always looked forward to traveling to Magee, MS for the Nelson-Payne (King) Family Reunion, and hosting his own reunion with his children on the 4th of July.
He was a member of Asbury Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. He served dutifully as a member and as President of the Trustee Board, and was a member of the Local Lay Council.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Margie Thames King; one brother, Harold King; and four sisters, Ossinelle K. Hutchins, Allean K. Green, Dorothy K. Lockhart, and Bonnie K. Averhart.
Left to cherish many memories are three sons, Edward King, Jr., Houston, TX; Edward Carlton King, Atlanta, GA; and Nicholas J. King, Moss Point, MS; six daughters, Darlene King (Jerald) Thomas, Moss Point, MS; Edwina King, Grapevine, TX; Emelda King Simmons, Pascagoula, MS; Sabrina King Ajay, Houston, TX; Natasha King, Houston, TX; and Rosalind King (Hugh) Mark, Bloomington, IN; sixteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, a devoted daughter-in-law, Shirley P. King, Houston, TX, and friends
Viewing will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020 at Asbury AME Zion Church, 1109 Convent Avenue, Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020 in Scranton Cemetery, Old Mobile Highway, Pascagoula, Mississippi.
MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE MANDATORY. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
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