Ruth King Obituary
Ruth Kathleen (Kitty) Spickard King of Winter Haven passed away peacefully at home on October 25, 2023.
Kitty was born, raised and lived her entire life in Winter Haven, Florida. She was a proud and devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister and aunt, and member of Beymer Methodist Church. While first and foremost a mother and homemaker, along with Joe, her husband of 52 years, Kitty advocated for experiences and opportunities for young adults, blind people and those in need of transportation services.
Kitty graduated from Winter Haven High School with the class of 1949. She was a bookkeeper for Mac Plumbing and later received a degree from the Southern College of Business in Medical Transcription. She was co-owner of King's Cycle & Repair bicycle shop in Winter Haven.
Kitty was a devoted member of Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church for over 70 years. In the 1950's she taught junior-high Sunday school, became Youth Director in the 1960s, and Nursery coordinator in the 1970s. She volunteered at Brigham Elementary and was a Den Mother for Cub Scout Troop 123.
Kitty was an advocate for the blind through the National Federation of the Blind, Polk County Chapter. She worked to bring transportation solutions to Winter Haven, which became Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT). In 2014, Kitty and Joe were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
Kitty is survived by her husband Joe, son Thomas (Annette), sister Sharon Shaver, nieces Karen Spickard Strnad, Debbie Spickard Hatch, Pam Shaver Dohmlo (Philip), Kim Shaver Luaces (Eddie), nephews Wesley Spickard, Jonathan Spickard and James Spickard.
Visitation and Services will be Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 2PM at Beymer Church, 700 N. Lake Howard Drive Winter Haven, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home or Beymer Church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth King, please visit Tribute Store
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Sherri Brun
November 10, 2023
Her loss inspires me to keep in better touch with long-time members of the NFB of Florida. My heart goes out to Joe and family. I just loved Kitty. She was so caring and sweet.
Judy Hamilton
November 10, 2023
Kitty was a true lady. She worked quietly, behind the scenes. I am so glad to have known her over the years that I have been in the NFB. When I would get to the hotel at state conventions, Kitty and Joe were like the "anchor couple." Kitty has left a rich legacy.
Marilyn Baldwin
November 10, 2023
Denise. Ms. Kitty was one of the finest people that I had the pleasure of knowing during these past 30 plus years in this Affiliate. Kitty and Joe worked so hard in their small community to improve the lives of blind people, especially in the area of mobility services. They both worked as a team in our Florida Affiliate for many years.Kitty was a dedicated member of our Federation family, and she was kind to everyone that she knew.
Alicia Betancourt
November 10, 2023
Miss Kitty was definitely someone who I admire for her tenacity in the national Federation of the blind of Florida. She will be missed. May she rest in peace
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2425 Havendale Boulevard Northwest, Winter Haven, FL 33881
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