Essie Smith King went to be with the Lord at 11:51 PM on June 17, 2024.  Born 08/17/1936, Essie enjoyed a loving marriage, a healthy and prosperous life with her husband Robert "Pete" King of almost 65 years.  She was a faithful spouse, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Essie was born in a humble, hardworking, self-sustaining home life to Ralph and Dorothy Smith of Aynor.  Essie learned the value of hard work and at times a hard hand.  She learned the value of a disciplined life and self-sustenance at an early age on the family farm.  Throughout her life she exemplified prudence and discipline in every area of life.

Essie graduated from Aynor High School and in an effort to make a better life, she attended college in Florence and later moved to Charleston where she worked for SC Electric and Gas.  While in Charleston, she met Pete and the two were married shortly thereafter.  After they were married, they moved to Florence where she started a 25-year career with Florence School District 1 in the Guidance Office, where she worked until her retirement in 2001.  She and Pete were former members of College Park Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and are current members of The Florence Baptist Temple.

Essie is survived by her husband, Pete King; son, Robbie King; daughter, Paula Owens (Burt); grandchildren, Cristin Allred (Teddy), Anna Smith (Chris), David Owens (Hallie), Jackson King; great-grandchildren, Olivia Allred, Blakely Allred, Owen Allred and Ellis Owens.  She is also survived by two siblings, Alvie Smith (Eloise) of Conway and Gwen Miller (Randy) of Aynor; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents; and two brothers, Edward Smith and Ravenel Smith of Aynor.

Essie came to know the Lord while staying at the YWCA in Charleston, therefore being a child of God through Jesus Christ alone, she is free from the bondage of sin and the flesh, and from sickness and disease.  Amen.

A funeral service directed by Cain Calcutt Funeral Home will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Florence Memorial Gardens in the Mausoleum Chapel.  Entombment will follow the service.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 AM in the Mausoleum Chapel just prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Florence Baptist Temple Building Fund or to the Frank Monroe Scholarship Fund.

The family would like to thank the staff at McLeod Hospice for all the care given to Mrs. Essie.