Margaret King Obituary

Margaret Rodwell King CHARLOTTE - Margaret R. King, 88, died peacefully on the morning of August 31, 2014, at Brighton Gardens in Charlotte, N.C. Margaret was born on February 3, 1926 in Warrenton, N.C. to Herman Walter and Alice Brittain Rodwell. A graduate of Saint Mary's School, Margaret earned a degree in English from Duke University in 1947. At Duke, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Following graduation, she married Parks King and moved to Charlotte, raised four children, and became an active member of the Republican Party, which included working in the campaigns of Charles Raper Jonas, James Holshouser, and serving as Chairman of four Jim Martin Congressional campaigns, state co-chair of Martin for Governor, North Carolina co-chair of the President Ford committee, and president of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women. Margaret was elected to the NC Republican Hall of Fame for her outstanding service during a volunteer career that spanned more than 50 years. Margaret was also a member of the Junior League of Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Board of Trustees, and First Presbyterian Church. A voracious reader, she remained connected to her alma mater through the Duke Women's Studies program, and also enjoyed traveling. Margaret was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her children, Nancy King Bell and husband William Nawrot Bell of Raleigh, N.C., James Howerton King and wife Sharon Jones King of Charlotte, and John Philip King of Charlotte; five grandchildren, Jonathan Brodnax Bell and William Cameron Bell; and Laura King Edwards, Stephen Howerton King and Anna Taylor King; and one great-grandchild, Kora Jean Bell. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Parks McCombs King, Jr.; son, Robert Morrison King; and sister, Elizabeth Rodwell Tucker. A service of remembrance will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Taylor's Tale, 7804 Fairview Road, Box 135, Charlotte, N.C. 28226-4998, www.TaylorsTale.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against rare disease, founded in honor of Margaret's granddaughter. Condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer from Sep. 5 to Sep. 6, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret King

6 Entries

Jim Martin, Jr

September 8, 2014

I knew Margaret through Dad's campaigns, including working with her on his gubernatorial races. She was a wonderful woman, with great political instincts and the commitment to work hard for what she believed in. The world was a better place because she was in it, and I can only assume that if they hold elections in heaven, she'll be teaching them the Neighbors Program and how to Find 'Em, Vote 'Em and Count 'Em.

September 6, 2014

I love Margaret. It was a joy to serve as her assistant when she was president of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women. She was always encouraging me. I really appreciated that! We were a great team! My sincere sympathy to her special family.

Brenda Andrews

Barbara Boyce

September 5, 2014

Margaret touched so many, many lives that she will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her. We first met in September 1959 and she was a dedicated Republican leader even then. She contributed her time, energy, and expertise to Republican candidates, their campaigns, and Republican organizations statewide until the beginning of this century. We were good friends and I will miss her. My deepest sympathy to her family.

Edna Faye & Larry Cobb

September 5, 2014

We are happy that we got to visit Margaret last month. She did not respond at first, but as we bent over her bed and said goodbye, she opened her eyes and smiled.

Margaret, Parks and all the other Republican pioneers in Mecklenburg, donated their time and money to a cause they believed in without seeking recognition or reward. It is sad that there are few such people remaining.

God Bless you, Margaret. Our sincere condolences to the family.

September 5, 2014

My condolences to the King family. May you find comfort from God's word recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 regarding the loss of your love one.

Ginger Alexander Heglar Neustadt

September 5, 2014

My deepest condolences to Margaret's family. I had the privilege of having her on my Board when I was President of the North Carolina Federation of Republican women and during many times we worked together for the GOP. She was a kind, generous friend who never allowed her important positions to change her wonderful supportive demeaner whenever her political gifts or friendship was needed. Margaret was unique among leaders and it has been a privilege to be on her team over the years. I just regret I didn't pick up he phone to call or to visit in these past years. We have all been blessed by her presence in our lives...She will ever remain in our hearts and memories...Ginger Alexander Heglar Neustadt (Federation President 19775-77)

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results