1930
Mrs. Dorothy
2024
Mrs. Dorothy " MOVA" King
July 5, 1930 — February 16, 2024
Philadelphia
Carolina to James and Lela Scott who preceded her in death. Muva departed this life on Friday,
February 16 th , 2024. Muva was the fifth child of seven siblings, all of whom preceded her in
death.
Muva was educated in the South Carolina Public School system. It was at Rose Mary High
School where she played basketball and rose as a star on the team. Although she was the
shortest person on the team that didn’t stop her from being one of the highest scorers. She has
a love for the sport of basketball and football. So much so that during last year’s Super Bowl
she demanded that the family hold a Super Bowl party at her house. We were all puzzled
because at the time her eyesight wasn’t the best. So we said “Muva, how will you know what’s
going on during the game?” Her response was “I’ll shout when I hear ya’ll shout”. Boy did we
get a laugh out of that! Although she was aging, trust us when we tell you that Muva still had all
of her wits about her.
As a teenager, while shopping in Andrews South Carolina, she met, who would become her first
and only true love, Richard Alphonso King Sr. They would marry in1946 and stayed in union for
38 years, until his passing in 1985. From this union five children were born; four girls and one
son. The love she had for all of her children was unmatched and when it came to her one and
only son it was truly undeniable. The way she called him son, everyone could see that there
was a special kind of love for him!
Mother worked for many years at Einstein Hospital as an environmental specialist. Upon her
retirement from the hospital, she decided to become a fulltime housewife and homemaker.
As a child she attended church at Great Pleasant AME in Andrews, South Carolina. She was a
faithful member at New Mount Zion in Phila, PA for many years. In addition to being well known
as one of the Mothers of the church she also sang on the choir. Prior to her passing she
attended the First Church of the Lord Jesus Church in Phila., PA
Mother or as the kids would say Muva had a heart of gold. Our house was always open to
anyone in need. There were many of days where we had to share our dinner with neighbors and
friends. We loved celebrating her but not more than she did. Every 4th of July the family would
come together to throw a big shindig in celebration of her; she loved every moment of it. This
celebration was a tradition started by her loving husband Richard King Sr. No invitation needed,
all were invited and the block was always full of people. By the end of the evening, she was
already planning her party for the following year.
On a more serious note, this community would not be what it is if it were not for Dorothy King.
She played a significant role in the deciding factor of the Jefferson Square Project which
resulted in 45 residents, who were forced to relocate, receiving brand new houses built from the
ground up; Dorothy, her four children and one grand were amongst those recipients.
In celebrating her legacy, she leaves behind her loving children, Peggy Brookins, Mary Lou
Black (who preceded her), Shirley Nelson, Joanne King, Richard King, Jeffrey Thomas, Latanya
Richards (goddaughter), Steward Nelson (son-in-law) and a host of grandchildren, great grands,
great great grands, nieces, nephews, family and friends including Roslind McCrae, Thomas
Gregg and Mereno Scott.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mrs. Dorothy " MOVA" King, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, March 2, 2024
8:00 - 10:00 am (Eastern time)
New Mt Zion Baptist Church
Celebration of Life
Saturday, March 2, 2024
10:00am - 12:30 pm (Eastern time)
New Mt Zion Baptist Church
Graveside Service
Saturday, March 2, 2024
1:15 - 1:30 pm (Eastern time)
Guestbook
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