Mother Mary Shepherd King earned her heavenly reward from earth to glory on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at her home with her family at her bedside. Mother Mary Shepherd King was born in Washington, D.C., on September 10, 1932, to the late Lawrence and Mary Ellen Shepherd. Mother King was the sixth of eight children: Willie, Nathaniel, Roosevelt, Louis, Irvin, Clarence, and Nancy, all who preceded her in death.

Mother King was baptized at Abyssinia Baptist Church at an early age in Washington D.C. After moving to Winston-Salem, she joined Friendship Baptist Church and served in many auxiliaries, choirs, and organizations for over twenty-plus years under the leadership of the late Reverend Seal E. Tyndall whom she loved and admired. She was a retired employee of WSFCS with 20 plus years as a supervisor. Mother King later joined the New World Cappadocia Holiness Church, where she enjoyed doing community outreach under the leadership of Pastor Melvin (Rip) Wilkins, whom she also loved for many years. Mother King was presently a member of New Beginning Christian Church under the leadership of Dr. Nelson S. McCall whom she loved to the utmost. She was the eldest of three mothers of the church and she loved her church family. Mother King loved the Lord and left a lasting legacy for her entire family.

She was married to the late James A. King. To this union, six children were born: Master Sergeant (MSG) James M. King (Constance-both deceased), Minister Patricia A. King, Pauline A. Sadler (Ronald Sadler), Jerome M. King, Carolyn D. King (William Hairston-deceased), and Apostle Dorothy E. Miller (Noel Miller). In later years, she married James Tyndall, and to that union was an adopted son, Jamie T. Tyndal (deceased). Mary Shepherd King also leaves to cherish (Joyce B. McWillis, Kenneth Dunbar, and Wendy Kennedy). Mother King leaves to cherish her memory twenty-two grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and twelve great great grandchildren, a special cousin, Ms. Pearl Porter, a special niece, Ms. Frances Rice of Georgia, two other nieces (Carolyn Ruth and Barbara Ruth), a host of great nieces, nephews, and great great--nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends and church affiliates.

She was always willing to do God's will. Mother King was a mover for Christ and would help wherever needed. She loved to praise the Lord and was ready to see Jesus. She will be truly missed. She was a powerful woman of prayer whose faith stood the test. She was devoted, sincere, loving and a willing worker until she became disabled due to illness. Welcome home, thou good and faithful servant.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Nelson McCall officiating.  Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Friday at the Chapel.

The family wishes to thank her daughter who was her caregiver for eight years and Trellis Supportive Care and the wonderful team that cared for our mother.