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Marjorie King Smith, born March 9, 1922, closed her eyes on earth and opened her eyes in Heaven on Sunday, Sept. 24. She grew up on a cotton and peanut farm in Seaboard, North Carolina.

After graduation from high school, she attended a professional school in Richmond to train as a certified medical records technician. While riding the bus to Richmond after a visit home, she met Robert “Bob” King, a handsome Marine who was headed home to Fluvanna County on leave. Following his discharge from the Marines, Bob and Margy were married on April 4, 1946. They settled in Arvonia when Bob went to work at the Virginia Power Bremo plant. Their son, Robert Wayne, was born in January1947. Margy busied herself with motherhood and her painting which was a lifelong pursuit.

She came to know the Lord as her personal savior at age 28. Over the years she served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s program leader at Welcome Wesleyan Church near Gold Hill. For 20 years, she directed the Wesleyan Kids for Missions program for the State of Virginia. She had a puppet ministry for over 50 years and presented programs in churches and schools around the state. Many will remember her ventriloquist dummy, “Wayne Boy.” Margy is best known by family and friends for her art. She kept the first painting she ever did and that remains in the family. She taught art classes in the basement of their Gold Hill home for 25 years and at Calvary Christian School for 20 years. She enjoyed participating in art shows and holds the record for the most blue ribbons awarded in a single year at the Five County Fair in Farmville. Her paintings are on display in many homes and businesses throughout the area. She would say the most important things in her life were her faith in Jesus Christ, her family, and her large circle of friends.

Bob passed away in January 2004. Margy married James R. Smith in November 2004 and they enjoyed life together until J.R. passed away in January 2019.

Margy is survived by her son, Wayne King (Mary); her grandchildren, Tammi King and Michael King (Martha); along with her great-grandchildren, Simon, Maggie, Lucy and Tessa King. She is also survived by her step-daughter, Deborah Branch (Jim); step-son, Charles Smith (Ruby Dean); her step-daughter-in-law, Barbara Jean Smith, and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for 11 a.m., on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Farmville Church of Christ, 1401 Milnwood Road, Farmville.