Essie Bailey King , affectionately known as " Doe" , was born in Hemingway, SC on September 6, 1941.  She was the 2 ^nd born of seven children to the loving union of Reverend Charlie Linwood McGill and his third wife, Peggy Ann Chandler.  Reverend McGill died when Essie was nine years old and Peggy Ann relocated her family to Glen White, WV where she later married Rufus McClindon Bailey.  In 1958, he adopted Essie and her younger siblings.

In 1956, Essie was one of the first blacks to integrate schools in West Virginia.  She attended Glenn White School from 6 ^th thru 8 ^th grade and graduated in 1960 from Stratton High in Beckley, WV.  She attended Temple Business School and the Singer Tailoring School in Washington DC, the city in which she met and married Larry Franchot King.  To that union, three children were born.

Essie began her working career as a key punch operator for the Hecht Company and the Department of State in Washington, DC. She was an active member of Refreshing Springs COGIC in Riverdale, MD where she served on the Choir and Missionary Board.   After an amicable divorce, she relocated to Winston-Salem in 1969 and began working for Wachovia Bank as a Security Fraud Specialist.  To supplement her income, she worked part-time at Zayres Department Store and also sold Princess House and Avon.  Essie retired from Wachovia in 1999 after 30 years of service. Not one to stand still for long, she worked part time as a Sales Associate for Sears at Hanes Mall.

Essie was a woman of strong faith who truly loved the Lord and walked in godly principles.  She joined Macedonia TVPH Church of Winston-Salem, NC in the early 70's where she served faithfully as a Sunday School Teacher, Senior Choir member, Hospitality, Pulpit and Floral Guild and the Trustee Board.  In the late 90's Essie transferred her membership to Living Word Apostolic Church where she served faithfully in the choir. Prior to relocating to Raleigh, NC to live with her daughter, Essie frequently attended Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Essie excelled in helping, serving, and encouraging her family, friends, and even strangers.  She was a fountain of wisdom, grace, and humor.  Her smile and laughter instantly made you feel at ease.  Tall in stature, her presence was like a warm hug.  Her life's purpose was encouraging others through life's difficult situations and cultivating peace in the middle of calamity.  She was a pillar of the North Hills community, the state of North Carolina, and the world at large.  Her love knew no boundaries.

Essie is preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, and nine brothers, Harry (Estelle) McGill,  Henry (Callie Mae) McGill, Marche (Mary) McGill, Quince Albert (Doris) McGill, Ancial Ulysses (Juanita) McGill, Jessie (Idean) McGill, Phillip ( Willie Mae *) McGill, Charles ( Jeanita*) McGill, Sr, and Caesar Willie ( Mary *) McGill; five sisters, Lumilla (Capers) Singletary Graham, Lillian McGill, Janie Mae Sims (Howard) Johnson, Cora Bell (Harry) Gibbs, and Maggie (James) Grooms; brothers-in-love, Curly ( JoAnn*, Franciel*) King and Theodore (JoAnn) King; sisters-in-love, Carol (Edward) Oliver and Cynthia (Leroy) Hall.

She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy three children, Michael Anthony King of Philadelphia, PA, Diane Laurice (Kenny) Summers of Winston-Salem, NC, and Debra Victoria (Lawrence) Taiwo of Raleigh, NC; three nieces that she raised, Celestine (Mark) Duncan of Forestville, MD, Patrice (Kelvin) Copeland of Laurel, MD, and Angela Daniels of Winston-Salem, NC; four grandchildren, Kent (Jasmine) Marquette Summers, Sean Anthony Summers, and Lawrence Adebayo Taiwo all of Winston-Salem, NC and Lauryn Ademorenike Taiwo of Tampa, FL; bonus grands, Tiera Proctor, Kelvin Copeland, Jr., Kellen Copeland, Kendell Copeland, and Ariana Daniels; three great-grandchildren, Kent Summers, Jr., Ka'Niyah Summers, and Kehlani Summers; bonus great grands, Madison Grooms, Khloe Proctor and Kyle Proctor; two brothers, Isiah Carey Bailey and James (Nola) Bailey; two sisters, Lula Mae (Hubert**) Williams,  Mabel (Willie**) Fryar; she considered her brothers' spouses as her bonus sisters, Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis, Kassundra Sue Bailey, Nola Bailey, Mary McGill, Jeanita McGill, and Willie Mae McGill; brother-in-Love, Arthur (Patricia) King; sister-in-love, Camille (Leroy) Taylor; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, devoted friends, and adopted sons and daughters.  [*Living  **Deceased]

A public viewing will be held from 1:00 pm until 5:00pm Wednesday January 4, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life Services will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, January 5, 2023 at First Waughtown Baptist Church, 828 Moravia Street, Winston-Salem NC, 27101. The family visitation will be held from 11:30 am until 12:00 noon on Thursday at the Church.

Cards and correspondence can be mailed to Debra Taiwo, 2309 Hideaway Ct, Raleigh NC  27613.