Shirley Ann King

Shirley Ann King, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was 86 years old.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Morris, father Robert Shouse, and her beloved Aunt Mae & Uncle Bernice Shouse. She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Virgil Lee King; her children Scot King, his wife Maria, and their two children Matthew King and Jordyn King and her daughter Vicki Woodlief, her husband Thomas D. and their two children, Meredith Woodlief and Hailey Woodlief, her great-grandchild Andrew Thomas Woodlief, and cousin, “bestie” Kaye Cooper. Each of them carries forward her spirit of kindness, laughter, and unwavering love.

Born on August 12, 1939, in Jackson, Kentucky, Shirley spent formative years in Dayton, Ohio, where she attended Northridge high school and began cultivating the deep love of family and community that would define her life. In 1956, she began working as a Customer Service Representative at Dayton Tire & Rubber, where she met the love of her life, Virgil Lee King. They married in 1958 in her family home in Dayton and soon moved to Three Rivers, Michigan, to begin building a life together.

Shirley and Virgil were blessed to become adoptive parents to Scot King in 1964 and Vicki King in 1966. Their journey together took them across the country—from Dayton, OH, toThree Rivers, MI, to Oxford, NC, to Muscatine, IA, and finally to their forever home in Wilmington, NC—all where Shirley’s warmth and generosity touched countless lives.

A tireless advocate for military families, Shirley spent over two decades organizing and sending hundreds of Christmas care packages to troops stationed abroad. Her dedication to honoring those who serve was matched only by her devotion to her own family. 

In Oxford, Shirley became a passionate volunteer for school athletics, especially through the Booster Club at J.F. Webb High School. Her leadership and enthusiasm helped rally the community to raise funds for the school’s first paved track—a lasting symbol of her commitment to youth and education.

Shirley was also an accomplished bowler and golfer, hobbies that brought her joy and expanded her circle of cherished friends. She loved her friends from Golf Clubs of Sauganash, Thorndale, Geneva and Porters Neck.  She and Virgil shared a love of travel, exploring beautiful destinations together during his tenure with Bandag.

Shirley’s legacy is one of compassion, strength, and service. Her radiant smile and generous heart will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Davis Community Center on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 1 PM.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made for Tunnel to Towers www.t2t.org.         

Davis Community Center, 1011 Porters Neck Rd, Wilmington, NC 28411