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Betty Skinner King, 89, of Swannanoa, joined the Church Triumphant on July 2nd, 2014.
Betty was born May 6, 1925 in Atlanta to the late Albert Ferris and Julia Bohler Skinner. She graduated from Commercial High School in Atlanta in 1942 and worked as a nursing assistant at Grady Hospital during World War II. In 1944, she married her great love, Robert Clayton “Bob” King. Shortly thereafter, God richly blessed them with two beautiful daughters, Judy and Jann. Betty invested her whole spirit in her family, serving as a grade mother, Girl Scout leader and cookie sale coordinator. She worked briefly in administration for the Georgia State Senate, but focused primarily on making her home loving and welcoming for her family.
Betty moved to North Carolina in 1959 and became an active member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, where she helped to lay the foundation for the Sunday School program for special needs adults. Through devotion to that class she became an advocate for individuals with special needs and was asked to speak at Gardner Webb University about the differently abled. Pritchard class members called her “Mama King”, a nod to her warmth and nurturing.
Throughout her life, Betty freely shared her faith stories with others. While in Atlanta she and Bob were founding members of Beecher Hills Baptist Church. Her love of nature, animals, crafting, and storytelling resonated throughout Betty's life. There was no greater pleasure than to sing alto with her high school glee club, cast a line in the surf with Bob, or bake a hot pound cake late at night. Often outspoken and genuinely honest, Betty taught her grandchildren independence and strength by her living wisdom and quick wit. Her attentive listening and gentle touch frequently soothed family members during illness.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughter Judy, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved dachshund companion Chloe and a sister in law, Margaret Camp, with whom she shared a special sisterhood, particularly in her latter years.
Betty, the family matriarch, is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Jann and Bill Walker of the home; son-in-law Paul Outlaw of Belmont NC; grandchildren, Rebecca Yount (Mark) of Belmont; Michael Walker (Rachel) of Havertown, PA; Jennifer Walker (Nathan Petro) of North Charleston, SC; and Rob Walker (Clare) of Woodborn, OR; and great-grandsons Luke and Alec Via of Belmont and William Walker of Havertown.
The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff at Mission Hospital Heart Tower and Care Partners of Asheville for their respect and loving care throughout Betty’s illness. She was especially touched by the outpouring of love from friends in The Alice & Dob Bible Class, who shared prayers and laughter through her journey.
A service honoring God for Betty's joy filled life will be held at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Black Mountain on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 2:30pm. The family will receive friends afterward at the church. Graveside services will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Belmont on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabernacle UMC, Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, or St. Jude Children’s Research Center.

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