Gertrude Marie (Williams) King

Gertrude Marie King, born August 31, 1929, was the second daughter of the late Adelia Leola Brown Williams Nicholson and James Williams. She was a proud graduate of Jordan Sellars High School, where her favorite subject was chemistry. She could still speak chapter and verse about the periodic table of elements.

Raised in a household grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the values of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Marie embraced faith, civic responsibility, and a commitment to
social justice from an early age. In 1963, she attended the March on Washington, considering it  both a duty and an honor to stand for change. When asked why she went, she simply replied, “It
was important.” In the early 1950s, Marie joined the wave of African Americans migrating North for better opportunities. She initially worked for comedian Jack E. Leonard before beginning a meaningful career at Lenox Hill Hospital. A lifelong learner, Marie took leadership and motivation courses at Cornell University as early as1959 and continually refined her managerial skills. She participated in Lenox Hil's first training course, certifying internal staff to teach human relations, leadership, and communication. When a few dozen NY union hospitals participated in
delegate training, Marie was selected to represent Lenox Hill. As a dedicated supervisor and union representative, she served for over 20 years, breaking barriers in a role seldom held by
women, particularly African American women. Recognized with numerous awards, Marie advocated tirelessly for her patients and colleagues. Ever modest, she seldom spoke of these accolades until her niece discovered them in a photo album.

In the 1970s, Marie and her late husband, Eligah King, moved to Queens, where they created a family haven, hosting countless gatherings and celebrations. Their home was a place filled with
love and laughter, and her nieces and nephews cherished memories of Marie’s warmth, including frequent McDonald's trips and sweet treats. Marie and Eligah were dedicated members of The
Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Cathedral of New York.

After retiring, Marie and Eligah returned to Burlington, North Carolina, to be closer to family and care for her mother, Adelia Nicholson. She became a devoted member of St. Matthews A.M.E Church, where she served as a steward and faithfully attended services, Bible studies, and A.M.E. conferences. Marie was also a phenomenal class leader!
Marie and her siblings shared special bonds, always close in heart and never far apart. In New York, she and her older sister Gladys lived next door to each other, and eventually, their younger
brother, Edward, joined them in the Big Apple. After Gladys and Marie became widows, they lived next door to each other in Burlington, where they were reunited with their younger sister
Iola. They shared inside jokes and lots of laughter over the years. Marie and Gladys moved together to New Jersey in 2017 to live with Gladys’s daughter Gina and her family.
Marie cherished family gatherings and enjoyed long car rides, which included several trips to Canada with her siblings, parents, nieces, and nephews, and she and Eligah explored many U.S. states. Known for being a great storyteller and her phenomenal memory, she would often spontaneously recite poetry, like “If” by Rudyard Kipling and many works by Langston Hughes. She credited her recall to her teachers, family, and educators in her close-knit community. When her great-nephew, Zachary, began studying chemistry, she proudly shared one of her original, perfectly preserved lab notebooks with him. A deeply compassionate soul, Marie was known for her quiet generosity, always helping others without expectation. Her commitment to voting never wavered, and she was proud to cast her last vote in the 2024 election.

Marie’s warmth, humor, and spirit were a source of joy and inspiration to all. Her memory will be cherished by her sister, Iola W. McBroom; brother, Henry E. Nicholson; her nieces and
nephews: Gina Jacobs-Strain (Cliff), Gregory Jacobs, Edward Arthur (Rummie) Williams, Lisa McBroom-Johnson (Algernon), Danielle Dubeau, Dontese Nicholson (Caroline), and Angela
Hayes (Ernie); her grandnephews: Nicholas Strain, Ryan Strain, C. Zachary Strain, Jarius Jacobs (Chloe), Gregory Jacobs, Christopher Jacobs, Kendal McBroom (Britney), Konnor Miles, Kaleb
Currie, Louis Nicholson, and Alexandre Nicholson; her grandnieces: Felicia Enoch, Hanae Dubeau, Sayuri Dubeau, Kristina Hayes-Mims (Americus), and Courtney Hayes; as well as
many other relatives, friends, and loved ones who celebrate her “Homegoing” as she has received her crown.

Our family deeply appreciates each act of kindness, condolence, call, card, and shared meal. Every gesture has reminded us of your love for Marie, her legacy, and your genuine care for us.
We are also grateful to the compassionate staff at Care One - Madison, especially Twaina Smith- Burke, Fred Debrah, Mykelson Pauleus, Facina Destra, and Anim Boateng. We extend special
thanks to Theresa Vasquez and Christabel St. John for the joy they brought to our family. We are blessed by the enduring love of St. Matthews A.M.E. Church, who always remembered
Marie on holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Her heart held each of you. We are equally thankful to our St. Paul Baptist Church family for standing by us through every season. Let us
continue to uplift one another in prayer.

Thank you, Martin’s Home Services and Blackwell Funeral Services.

Please consider, in lieu of flowers, a donation to Alston-Lee Women's Missionary Society in memory of Gertrude M. King, class leader.  Checks may be sent to St. Matthews A.M.E. Church,
P.O. Box 388 Burlington, North Carolina, 27216.

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