Obituary of Betty J. King

Betty Jean King

An Extraordinary Woman

October 2, 1939 – November 6, 2018

Betty Jean King led an extraordinary life filled with love, grace, and resilience that left its mark on us and to all who knew her. She had a unique ability to make you feel special with her abundance of southern hospitality, wit and charm, filling you with soul food for your body and spirit!

Betty was born in the small town of Trenton, Tennessee where she excelled in school and quickly set her sights on being the most complete person she could be. As the ninth of ten siblings, she learned the values of compassion, education and helped to lift others.

Betty showed her strength through the first of many life challenges as a young wife and mother when she and husband Cecil recovered from the loss of their first-born child, Andrea Michele after moving to Cleveland, OH. With little time to grieve, they were blessed with Cecilia’s birth and Christopher followed six years later as they began their legacy of giving their very best to their family and community. Betty also made sure that Cecil’s daughter Cyndi knew she was loved as well, so the three surviving children share a permanent bond today in part to her efforts.

Betty loved to throw a party, from backyard barbeques to elegant dinner parties, she could run a mean Bid Whist Boston or serve cocktails listening to Brahms. Always ahead of her time, Betty crafted her own heart symbol brand, incorporating it into all designs she created for others. The heart remained her signature icon and represented her belief in the words of Kahlil Gibran, “It is when you give from the heart, that you truly give.”

Continuing to blaze trails, Betty graduated from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, OH at the age of 50 while working full-time for GE Lighting in Nela Park. She retired from GE, capping a 32-year career that saw her move from an hourly plant job making light bulbs to an exempt position as Human Resource Manager. She also began a second career as a travel agent to satisfy her never-ending curiosity to see the world. She held that position until retiring to be a full-time grandmother.

Our beloved mother was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frances Bailey. She is survived by her children, Cecilia (Marvin) and Christopher and by former husband Cecil King and his daughter (Cyndi Rose), two grandchildren (Chandler and Camdyn) three siblings (Cleo, Franklin and Anna) and a host of relatives and life-long friends who feel like family.

Our mom had a 10,000 mega-watt smile, the warmest hugs and the softest voice and infectious laugh. She continues to inspire her children and leaves behind an entire community standing in appreciation of her extraordinary beauty and grace.

Betty’s Celebration of Life will be held on December 1, 2018 at Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, CT 06883 commencing at 1:00 p.m.

With All of Our Love,

Cecilia Campbell, Christopher King, J.D. Cyndi Rose