Valery Jean King was born on August 17, 1951 in Winston-Salem, NC to Almeana Elizabeth King (Little) and Bravelle Cates. She departed this earth to reside in Heaven on March 11, 2022.

Valery was a graduate of Anderson High School and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where she graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1975. After graduation, she worked at a number of jobs, but was most known for her employment with Novant Forsyth Hospital, where she was a Diet Clerk for over twenty years.

Just like her aforementioned mother, Valery was a proud and dedicated member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Winston-Salem under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John Mendez.

Valery was a lover of children. Her profound care for children made her pursue a career in education. After a few years substitute teaching for the Winston-Salem Forsyth County school system, she decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Education at North Carolina A&T State University. Although unable to finish, her passion for children remained for the rest of her life.

Valery was also known for her angelic spirit and highly compassionate heart. Although relatively shy in nature, she gathered a multitude of friends along the way and her shyness was replaced with a more outgoing nature and a tremendous sense of humor. She has been described as "special" and "amazing" by friends, coworkers, family members, doctors, nurses, church members and many others. Both terms apply to her very accurately.

Valery was preceded in death by her mother, Almeana King (Little); her father, Bravelle Cates; her aunt, Sallie Mae King; and her uncle, James King.

Valery's legacy will be remembered forever by her son, Brandon King (Celicia) of Winston-Salem, NC; her brother, Vincent King (Dorris) of Houston, TX; her niece, Monda King of Houston, TX; her close cousins, Almeana Lyles, Loretta Jackson, Lysa Jackson, and Marcus Jackson, all of Winston-Salem, NC; close friends, Billy Guinn of Winston-Salem, NC, Gale Horne of Winston-Salem, NC, and Sandra Jackson of Raleigh, NC; close family friend, Mark Thomas; and a plethora of other cousins, friends, and her great-nieces.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Friday, March 18, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.