Obituary of Ida Mae King

Mrs. Ida M. King was born December 6, 1927, in Iron City, GA but spent her formative years in Newark, NJ. where she graduated from South Side High School. She was the youngest child of Jack O’Neal and Georgia Ridgeway . Her sibling who preceding her to heaven were Andrew, Emmett, Dorothy, Addie Lee, Anna, Turner, Arre, Sylvester, Joseph, Nancy, Evella, Turner, Asbury and Audrey. A month after graduation from high school, she started what would become a 43-year career at the U.S. War Department, Office of Dependency Benefits, followed by stints at Veterans Administration and Newark Transportation Control Depot. During these years she also received formal training as a medical transcriber and court reporter. In 1953, she moved to California and accepted a job at the Eglin AFB Proving Grounds. In 1955, she married George King, USAF and with him served several tours in Europe. Upon return to the United States, she worked for several sensitive military organizations then became secretary to the Chief of Supply, DCS/Logistics then to the Lieutenant General, Chief of Staff. During her long Federal service tenure, served six Chiefs of Staff and eight Commanders. Mrs King was heavily involved in both humanitarian and professional organizations. She served as the Royal Perfect Matron, Princess Leah, Chapter #23, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, Eastern Region Director, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc; and was a member of American Legion Auxiliary 509, National Council of Negro Women, Top Ladies of Distinction and had a long relationship with the Church of the Good Shepherd, Willingboro, NJ. Ida King had 4 children; Sheridan King, Cheryl King who preceded her to glory and is survived by her sons, Glenn J. King and Wayne Andrew King. She also had granddaughters Britney McLeod, Alisha Sims-King and Cherome King. She is also survived by two grandsons, Donovan King and Xavier King. She had two great grandchildren Addison Carter and Feather Merlot Carter. Mrs. King loved to travel. She went on dozens of trips to Africa, South America, China and throughout Asia and Europe. She most enjoyed cruises and loved Caribbean port of calls, particularly Montego Bay and the Virgin Islands.