Frances Clarice King

Frances Clarice Polak King, a devoted wife, mother and friend to all who knew her, entered Heaven's gates on June 1, 2025.

Clarice was born September 29, 1928, in Eustis, Florida. As a proud Floridian, she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing, both located in Jacksonville. Beginning her career in the operating room in Florida, Clarice chose to specialize in anesthesia, attending the Charity Hospital School of Anesthesia in New Orleans. Upon graduation, she served as an instructor at the school for several years. Clarice was a member of the Florida Nurses Association, Louisiana Nurses Association, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

It was in New Orleans where Clarice met her future husband, Dr. John (Jack) T. King, Jr. They were married on April 12, 1958 and moved to Eglin Air Force Base, FL where her husband was stationed practicing Ophthalmology. In 1964, after the birth of their first son at Eglin in 1961, Mark, they moved to Thomasville, Georgia, where Jack began his practice with his father Dr. John King, Sr., and later, brother Dr. William B. King. Their second son, Robert, soon followed.

In Thomasville, Clarice found ample opportunities to feed her passion for volunteer work. She became active in the Junior Service League, Thomasville Landmarks, Friends of the Library, the Thomasville Music & Drama Troup, the Thomas Area Medical Alliance, and the Archbold Auxiliary, where she volunteered for 25-plus years in radiology and the heart cath lab among other stations (amassing more than 2,700 hrs.). Additionally, she served as a docent for the Thomas County Historical Society.

As an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Clarice served on the Administrative Board, the Alter Guild and various committees. She was also a member of the Lawson Neel Sunday School Class, Circle group, and a lively group known as the Keenagers.

Clarice loved to play bridge. From 1961 until recently, she joined friends twice monthly for friendly yet spirited games. Clarice also enjoyed her week-long vacations of "Down and Dirty" (stirred not shaken) bridge with friends at the beach. Two of her other interests were gardening and travel. As a traveler, Clarice journeyed to Europe and across the U.S., including a favorite trip to Alaska.

Clarice is predeceased by her husband, Dr. John T. King, Jr.; parents Raymond Ben Polak and Bertha Adams Polak, also her brother Frank Jon Polak and sister-in-law Ray Conway Polak. She leaves behind her son Mark King of Thomasville; son Robert King (Susan Tanner King) of Williamson, Georgia; Sister-in-law Anne King of Thomasville; nephew Michael King (Anne Douglass King); niece Marianne King; and niece Jan Polak McMinn.

Family and friends could always count on Clarice remembering their birthdays and other important events. Her anticipated, handwritten cards always arrived in the nick of time, even as recent as this past holiday season.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Allen & Allen Funeral Home with immediate family attending a burial service at Laurel Hill cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, June 6 at Thomasville First Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, June 5 at Allen & Allen. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Thomasville First Methodist Church.