Helena Christina King

Helena Christina King, lovingly known as "Chris," was born on April 27, 1958, in Leonardtown, Maryland, to A.C. Clyburn and Mary Helena Spears. She was one of seven children and grew up in St. Mary's County, where she attended Carver Elementary School, a historic African-American school built in the late 1950s, and later Frank Knox's School. Chris enrolled in a special program at Great Mills High School, where she excelled, completing her education in just three years and graduating at the young age of 17. Following high school, she attended Barbara La Zane Modeling School and went on to participate in several beauty pageants and fashion shows.

Shortly after graduation, Chris met and married Bennie L. King, who was serving on active duty at Patuxent River Naval Base. Together, they built a beautiful life and were blessed with two daughters, Monica and Mary. Chris wore her marriage with pride and joy, cherishing her role as a devoted wife, mother, and later grandmother.

Chris lived with a heart full of love, empathy, and compassion. Her home and heart were always open to others, and she freely shared her faith in God with her family, friends, and all those she encountered. Brave and adventurous, she traveled the world alongside her husband and children, embracing new cultures and experiences in places such as Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea. Throughout her life, she also called Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and Texas home.

A woman of many talents, Chris balanced numerous roles, from being a stay-at-home mom and teacher to working as a banker, manager, auditor, and successful entrepreneur. Her passions included traveling, antiquing, painting, writing, drawing, crocheting, charity work, and cooking. Above all, her greatest joy was her family, who were truly her pride and joy.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Bennie L. King; her daughters, Monica C. King and Mary W. King; her beloved granddaughter, Christina Rachel King-Flores; her siblings Sylvia Clyburn of Lexington Park, MD, Sharon J. Clyburn of Waldorf, MD, Angelia (Raymond) Briscoe of Havelock, NC, John C. (Juliet) Clyburn of Lusby, MD, and Lolita Clyburn of Lexington Park, MD; as well as her in-laws Dwight King, Randall King, Willie King, Judy Weems, Scotty King, Mark King and Demika King. She is also survived by her uncles James Harold Clyburn, James E. Spears, and John A. Spears; aunts Phyllis M. Spears and Clarice Spears; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Chris was preceded in death by her parents, A.C. Clyburn and Mary Helena Spears; her grandparents, Joseph and Idola Spears; her sister, Monica Cresenthia Clyburn; nephews Telley Salvalas Clyburn and Toby DeSales Clyburn; uncles Joseph Spears, Francis A. Spears, and Charles L. Spears; and aunts Gertrude D. Somerville, Blanche Spears, Margaret Nurse, and Regina Spears.

Helena Christina "Chris" King will be remembered for her faith, her courage, her grace, and above all, her deep love for family. She will be profoundly missed, but her stories, her lessons, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.