Dora McCarthy King

Dora King, 79, of Niceville, lost her battle with heart disease and COPD Monday morning, May 29, 2017. 

Dora was born in Virgilina, Virginia March 11, 1938 to William and Rena McCarthy.  She was one of five children who lived in a three room house without running water.  You can imagine how much love and fun was shared in her crowded home, but she spent most of her adolescence caring for her mother who was bedridden at a very young age.  After graduating from Bethel Hill High School (To her Bethel Hill High School alumnae, her next reunion with you will be in Heaven!), Dora moved to Durham, N.C. She worked at the Uptown Theater, where she met Norman, who became the love of her life and soul mate.  She and Norman married January 18, 1958, making Dora a military wife. Norman’s first Air Force assignment moved them to Waco, Texas, where they began their life together.  Norman and Dora were baptized together at the Grace Temple Baptist Church in Waco.

She was a devoted military wife following Norman to Waco, Eglin AFB, Tachikawa AB, Japan, Hurlburt Field, and making their final homestead in 1975 in Niceville.

Dora raised three daughters, keeping them busy with Girl Scouts and Softball.  Dora was her daughters’ greatest cheerleader, often sitting in the bleachers for hours as all three would have back-to-back games in one evening, or racing to take Norman his dinner at the movie theater in between softball practices. Her daughters were grateful for her support and thanked her by giving her 7 grandchildren!

In the early ‘60’s, Dora worked at Ben’s Lake Exchange, then upon the family’s return state side, she joined Texas Instruments, and next Vanity Fair.  Her longest work experience was with Keltec, from which she retired after 23 years of service in 2001.  She loved working at Keltec and all the wonderful friends she made.  She often said her Keltec friends were her second family.  We believe she would still be working today if her heart trouble hadn’t begun in 2001.

Dora is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Weldon and William, sisters Bulene and Maxine, and her granddaughter Meagan Campbell, all who welcomed her in Heaven!

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Norman; brother-in-law Wade Clayton; daughters, Susan Campbell (Wayne), Phyllis Williams (John), and Cynthia Claus. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan Campbell, Wesley Williams and Nina Page (Matt), and Richard Alan Claus, Timothy Claus, Kaylee Claus; great-grandchildren Aidan Wietzki, Christopher and Amelia Page, and Kaitlyn and Mia Williams.  She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews in North Carolina and Virginia.

There will be a time of visitation at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville Friday, June 2, 2017 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with a service to follow in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow in the Heritage Garden Cemetery.  Flowers are being accepted.

The family would like to extend their gracious love to Dr. Wyndal Blankenship and his loving office staff.  Dr. Blankenship cared for Dora as if she were a member of his family.  Also, the family would like to express their greatest appreciation to Twin Cities Hospital staff.  She was cared for with love and dignity throughout her stays there. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “

John 3:16

Dora is no longer suffering, but smiling at the feet of her God and her savior, Jesus Christ! 

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