Frances Garmon King

Theora “Frances” Garmon King, 92, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2019. She was born on October 23, 1927 in Sanford, Florida to her parents, Milton L. and Amy Lee Garmon. She grew up in Jacksonville, FL and was married to Archie King on February 22, 1948. After several moves in their early years, they settled in Demopolis, AL. Frances and Archie adopted three children, Mike, Susan, and Barbara. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was always her priority. After Archie retired in 1985, they moved to Lynn Haven, FL and built their final home together. She was widowed in 2011 and moved to Azalea Trace Retirement Community in Pensacola, FL in 2015. During all of her years, Frances managed to find time to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1980, graduating with Honors at the age of 53. She later enjoyed working in real estate and insurance. In her free time, she loved playing bridge with her friends, trying a new recipe for one of Archie’s kills or catches, decorating her home and playing the piano. She never thought so herself, but she was a talented seamstress. She loved entertaining with dinner parties, always sharing her special “hot crab dip.” Archie lovingly referred to her as the “engineer” as she was all too often willing to give “free” advice regarding home repairs. And although we never knew of any “big winnings,” she also loved playing slot machines on a few trips to Biloxi and Las Vegas. Frances was a believer in God and shared her beliefs with family, friends, She and Archie were members of the First Presbyterian Church, Panama City, FL. Frances believed, “When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are in the service of God,” and she held a special place in her heart for those less fortunate and always answered the call to help someone in need. Her parents preceded her in death, as did her two sisters, Virginia and Geneva, her brother Jack, her husband of 64 years, Archibald (Archie) St. Clair King, Jr., and lastly, her oldest grandson Frederick X. (Teddy) Young, Jr. Frances’ memories will be cherished by her friends and family as she leaves behind her son Michael (Mike) Irvine King (wife Brenda) of Gulf Breeze, FL, and daughters Susan Lorena King Blankenship of Panama City, FL, and Barbara King Young (husband Ted) of Milton, FL; three grandchildren, John Young, Kali King and Paul Young; and three great grandchildren, Ava Young, Emily Young and Kinley Sterling. Serving as pallbearers are Mike King, Ted Young, John Young, Paul Young, Steve Garmon and Randy Garmon.

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