Nancy Lou King

Nancy Lou King, age 74, passed away on Sunday, 10 January 2010 at Inova Fairfax Hosptial in McLean, Virginia. Mrs. King was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph H. King; also by her parents, Harold H. Phillips & Emma Reichmann. She is survived by two sons, Joseph E. King (Laurie E.) & James H. King; a daughter, Bonnie Lou King (David Ortiz); three grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Newman, Anthena Marie King & Joseph M. King; and one great-grandchild, Nadya Lucero Sandoval. Mrs. King's multi-faceted talents and generous heart made her an exceptional individual. She graduated high school from the Class of 1952 at Washington & Lee in Arlington at age 16, having excelled at softball, basketball and field hockey. She was also an accomplished musician who turned down an opportunity to study piano at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the years she produced wonderful paintings and pastels. She also designed and crafted beautiful garments from scratch. Mrs. King was a high level secretary at the CIA during the tumultuous era of the Cuban missile crisis. In the 1960s she was instrumental in the formation and development of the Franconia Athletic Association when no structured youth leagues for sports existed in this part of the county. In order to stay closer to home with her young family, she became the Secretary at Franconia Elementary School from 1968–1981. As the family grew older, she returned to federal civil service as a budget analyst for the Air Force. She retired from the Pentagon in 2004 but not before earning the Air Force Civilian of the Year Award in 1987. For all of her talents, accomplishments and wit, her legacy is best defined by her well-known demeanor as a generous, caring person for those in need as well as mentoring young people in both personal & professional arenas. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Music Department at Thomas Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria Virginia 22310. Relatives and friends may visit Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA (just south of the intersection of Franconia Road and South Van Dorn) on Friday, 15 January 2010 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 2:00pm.

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Nancy Lou King

November 18, 1935 - January 10, 2010