Amalia "Molly" King

1937 - 2025

Amalia "Molly" Ruiz King of Fernandina Beach, Fla., was called to heaven on May 2, 2025, at the Warner Center in Fernandina Beach with family by her side.
Born on January 25, 1937, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America to Raul Ruiz Castanet and Amalia Esteves de Cermeno, Molly had 16 brothers and sisters, several of whom have predeceased her, along with many nieces and nephews. She left Guatemala at age 13 to study in San Jose, Costa Rica. At age 15, she moved to San Francisco, Calif., where she graduated from Star of the Sea Academy, June 1955. Molly moved to Fernandina Beach in 1957 and remained there until God called her home.
There were 4,000 people on Amelia Island when she arrived and she became the town's unofficial, sole Spanish-to-English translator. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and served on several church committees. Molly loved connecting with people and was a greeter at Super Walmart in Yulee for eight years. She retired from the city of Fernandina Beach Finance Department after 25 years of service. She enjoyed traveling, cruising, reading and reminiscing about the early island life.
Molly was most proud of her family and is succeeded by her five children: Elizabeth (Tommy) Seagraves of Kingsland, Ga.; Raul and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Bunch of Fernandina; Jennifer (Michael) Geiger of St. Johns, Fla. and Melinda (Robert) Crawford of Fernandina; her 15 grandchildren: Renee Yanak, Howard (Brandy) Matthew, Ashlee McDonald, Heather Nazworth, Tiffany (Jason) Turberville, Jake (Miranda) and Cason Bunch, Stephanie Harper, Megan (Mike) Brooks, Seth (Morgan) Geiger, Kyle (Christy) and Dylan Bunch, Holli (Brian) Peeples and Sean (Valeria) Crawford; and her 18 great-grandchildren: Nash and Molly Flanders, Ward and Savannah McDonald, Thomas Nazworth, Gabriel and Noah Turberville, Reagan Millen, Rowan Bunch, Berley and Camille Brooks, Carter and Henry Geiger, Paisley Bunch, Petal, Aliyah and Baila Souther and Mavvi Peeples.
Amalia of Amelia was a treasure that will never be forgotten and will live in the hearts of so many.
A visitation will be held Thursday, May 8, at Oxley Heard Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. A mass will be held, on Friday, May 9, beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's followed by a graveside ceremony where she will rest beside her late husband, Oley Owen King, Jr. A luncheon will be held at St. Michael's Parrish Hall thereafter. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be given in her name to St Jude at www.stjude.org Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.