Barbara Louise King

Barbara Louise Taylor Welch King passed away at the age of 83 on December 14, 2019. Barbara, a native Floridian, was born and raised in Defuniak Springs and Niceville. She lived in Niceville (Seminole) most of her life until moving to Tallahassee in June, after suffering from a stroke, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Tena and Sam.

Barbara was born to Callie Clara Locke Taylor Ganius and Henry Herbert Taylor. She is predeceased in death by her parents, stepfather Jessie Ganius, and siblings, Broncil Stone, Vernon Taylor, Vaughnette Bordner, Douglas Taylor, Paul Taylor and Robert Taylor, 4 nieces and nephews, and her late husband, George King. Barbara’s oldest and most beloved daughter, Tressa Gail Welch Bell, predeceased her passing only two months ago.

Barbara is survived by her loving daughters, Terri Farmer (Tommy) of Mobile, Tena Pate (Sam) of Tallahassee, and Tammy Kimble (Ron) of Panama City; grandchildren Michael Coffey and Sheila Lee (Chris) of Mobile, Trey Bell of Niceville, Tiffany Hoover (Chad) of Georgia, and Eric Pate (Panama City) and Nathan Pate (Tallahassee), seven great grandchildren, and 14 nieces and nephews.

Barbara was known for her hospitable spirit, giving shelter to many throughout her life. She cared for others as an aide in a hospital setting and, in her home and the home of others as a caregiver for the elderly and children. She was a lover of animals, especially her favorite cat named Butterscotch. Barbara could always be found creating beautiful things through her love of crafts. Her love for crocheting blankets for her family will always be treasured by them. Barbara had a bright and inquiring mind with an active desire to always learn more. She loved long hours of reading and was a self-taught player of the accordion and piano.

More than all of these great loves was her love for her daughters and her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She pursued a lifetime of service unto Him. Perhaps her most precious activity was to sing worship songs to her Lord, even unto her passing. Her family is forever grateful for the Christian heritage she passed on to them.

Barbara’s family has planned her services for Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Heritage Gardens in Niceville, FL. Visitation will be at 11 a.m., and the funeral service to follow at noon. Interment to follow at the Magnolia Cemetery in DeFuniak Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Project in Tallahassee, 301 E. Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303 or online at www.forourcaregivers.com and select the “Give” tab. Donations may also be made to Big Bend Hospice at 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308 or www.bigbendhospice.org and select “Donate.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Louise King, please visit our floral store.