Joan (Edwards) King

Barbara “Joan” Edwards King, age 82, of Rutherfordton, NC, died peacefully Thursday,

March 16, 2023, at her home.  She was born on May 4th, 1940, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was the daughter of the late Louise Keeter.  Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Al King, and her sister, Dale Edwards.

She graduated from Harris High School in 1957 and from Western Carolina University in 1961 with a B.S. in Education.  At WCU, she was in Who’s Who in College Universities; President of Woman's House Government; Wesley Foundation Methodist Group; Sigma Kappa Sorority; and N. C. College Chapter of Home Economics Association and was named Best College Citizen 1960-1961.  She was also a member of the Marching Band and was a Jazz Band soloist with the college chorus. 

Joan was a very active member of the First United Methodist church of Rutherfordton where she sang in the choir and was past chairman of the Staff Parish Committee, Kitchen Committee, Parsonage Committee, Campus Ministry, Flower Committee, and she founded and directed the Soul Food Ministry.

Joan was a public school teacher for 27 years and was named Rutherford County Teacher of the Year, received the Tanner award for Excellence in Teaching, and was inducted into the Rutherford County Schools Education Hall of Fame. Joan continued her love of working with students by being a McNair Mentor for many years after she retired from teaching.  Joan was also the owner of the Picnic Basket Restaurant and King’s Kreations Flowers.

Joan loved her community and took advantage of every opportunity to serve, including being on the board of directors of Hospice, Isothermal Community College Foundation, Rutherford Arts Council, Rutherford Hospital, and Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame.  Joan also served on the Board of Trustees for Isothermal Community College and the Rutherford Hospital Legacy

Foundation.  She received the Governor's Award for Volunteer of the Year, Rotary Club Ernie Ross Award for Community Service and Relay for Life Service Award. 

Above all Joan loved the Lord, her family, her friends, and the students she taught.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, travelling, music, and dancing.  She was blessed with two wonderful, caring children:  Jeff King of Rutherfordton, NC and Ginger King Dannemiller (Pete) of Lexington, Ky.  Joan adored her three granddaughters:  Halley Dannemiller, Caroline Dannemiller and Katherine Greene.  She is also survived by her brother, Donald Ray Edwards, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. 

The Celebration of Life Service for Joan will be held at the ICC Foundation on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM, with a visitation to follow at the Foundation Hall.  Reverend Ed Hillman and Reverend In-Young Lee will officiate.  Interment of the ashes will be private at the First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden with Reverend Tonya Hill officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials to:

Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org

First United Methodist Church; 264 North Main Street Rutherfordton, NC 28139

New Century Scholars; https://www.isothermal.edu/college-foundation/index.html

McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan (Edwards) King, please visit our floral store.