Barbara Thackston King of Bradenton, FL passed away with her family by her side on December 30, 2022 at age 85.
She was born in Miami, FL and moved to Bradenton in 1942. She attended Ballard Elementary School, and Bradenton Junior High. She then graduated from Manatee High School in 1955 where she was involved in the Drill Team, Future Teachers, Mam'Selles, and the Domestic Exchange to Rhode Island, and when she also learned to sail from her future husband, Bill King. She attended Florida State University where she was in the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and then graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Psychology.
Once moving back to Bradenton in 1965, she was actively involved in Entre Nous including serving as President, Life Member, and then served many years with the Service Club. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church for most of her life and the Zacchean Class. Barbara assisted in the organization of her MHS class alumni activities. She was on the board at the YMCA and the Manatee County Public Library Foundation helping to bring in noted authors for lectures, a volunteer at Easterseals Happiness House, and later in life was also a volunteer at the Manatee Village Historical Society. She also assisted with Bill's dental office management.
As an amazing mother, she was involved in all her children's various activities including Cub Scouts Den Mother, volunteer at Bradenton Christian School's library as well as being a soccer, volleyball, and softball team transporter. She would also volunteer to assist on sailing race committees and as Girl Scout Cookie Mom. At the Bradenton Yacht Club, she was involved in the Galley Maids, and the lady's sailing races. She loved to travel the world, and hobbies included sailboat racing and cruising, reading, supporting football and tennis sports, and working crossword puzzles.
Barbara was predeceased by her father Henry Blake Thackston, and mother Hilda Patton Thackston, and her beloved sister Nancy Bennett. She is survived by her high school sweetheart husband of 65 years, William B. King, her 3 children: Tom (Sharon) of Anna Maria, David (Julie) of Bradenton, & Carol Hughes of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren: Andrew, Noah, Tyler, and Allison King; Landon, Kaelyn, and Rebekah Hughes, and 3 great-grandchildren Roman, Piper, and Theodore King as well as many nieces, nephews and dear supportive friends.
Services will be held Thursday January 5th at 11:00 at First United Methodist Church located at 603 11th St. W. Bradenton, with a reception following the service.
