Margery "Joy" King

Joy King (Williams) 77 of Venice FL died from complications of ALS (bulbar). Joy was born in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from college she began a teaching career that would take her around the world. She first taught at Oxford, MI then came to Traverse City Central H.S., before teaching at Douglas MacArthur High School in Saginaw, MI. After several years she headed to Kobe, Japan where she taught at the Canadian Academy. Joy traveled extensively and literally around the world, from the Panama Cannel to the Tran-Siberian Railway, taking the QE2 back to the States. Her world travels and teaching inspired her and to all those she came in contact with. In 1979 she headed for beautiful, sunny Venice, Florida. Here she taught at Venice High School for 25 years and Manatee Community College for 20 years. Joy taught English, Speech/Debate, and Drama. During her career she inspired and encouraged thousands of students. In addition to her distinguished teaching career, she wrote, directed, and starred in plays in Michigan, Japan, and locally at Venice Theater and Venice High School. After retiring from school teaching, Joy enjoyed dancing, fishing, and theater. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was wealthy in friends and family and truly lived up to her name sake, bringing joy to all who knew her. Joy is survived by her mother, Margery A. King of 99 years of Venice, FL, her son Michael Williams of Sarasota FL, her daughter Sarah Williams of St. Petersburg, FL, her daughter-in-law Jamene Pinnow and her grandchildren, Jace and Marilyn. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the ALS Foundation (Community of Hope fund name: Joy King) and/or to Tidewell Hospice http://tidewellhospice.org/welcome/donors/. A celebration of life and remembrance ceremony will be held at Venice Theater, 140 W. Tampa Ave. Venice, FL 34285 on April 18th. Service starts at 10am with reception to follow. - please no black.