Naomi Clyniece King

Our hearts were saddened on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, when our beloved Naomi King, known affectionately as “Nana”, went home to be with the Lord. Born along with her twin sister Ruth (deceased) on March 23rd, 1929, in Bumpass, Virginia, Naomi was the daughter of the late Charles and Gustavia Waddy. Naomi spent her youth on her family farm surrounded by her 12 siblings. She received her education in the Louisa County school system and eventually moved to Washington, D.C. in the late 40s.

Naomi accepted Christ at an early age and carried her faith with her throughout her life, worshiping at various churches before becoming a faithful member of First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church. There she sang in the choir and served on various committees until she was no longer able, including the New Souls committee, the Senior Choir, and the consoling committee.

While working as a domestic at a hotel on North Capitol Street in Wash-ington, DC, Naomi met and married Marcus King and they would welcome three daughters, Gloria, Deborah, and Cheryl. Naomi was an industrious woman who always strove to improve her family's quality of life and, in the 1950s, she began work as a waitress at the Ivy City Grill. Though for many years discrimination prohibited her from eating there, she would eventually become the owner and co-operator of that establishment.

For over 20 years, Naomi ran the Ivy City grill alongside her sister Queen and her daughters. She took great joy in providing employment opportu-nities for loved ones and friends, and never hesitated to offer a warm meal to those in need. At her home on Kennedy Street, she took in and fostered a great number of children needing a safe and nurturing home, and she treated them all with the same love and compassion as if they were her own. Her generosity and kindness were a constant source of inspiration to all who knew her.

Naomi had a passion for gardening and nurturing her relationships with those she held dear. Even in her later years, she remained connected to her loved ones through daily phone calls. Despite her age, she remained sharp, with a strong memory for names and phone numbers, and she loved to play the card game "Deuces Wild” and watch her favorite game shows.

Naomi is survived by two daughters, Deborah King-Williams (husband Alphonso) and Cheryl King; five grandchildren, Kim Hamilton, Kian King, Javan King, Alphie Williams, and Janard King; twelve great-grandchildren, Ronald McIntyre, Kianna King, Khaila Hamilton, Marcus King, Nya Hamilton, Amira Hamilton, Javan King, Jr, Jerimiah Daniels, Jada King, Janard Jennifer, Xalen King, and Jakya Jennifer; two great-great-grandchildren, Maysa and Zayed; and her brother Benjamin Waddy

Naomi is preceded by her husband Marcus King, her daughter Gloria Bullock Jones, and by her sisters and brothers Aretha, Dolly, Ethel, Ruth, Queen, David, Flint, Lloyd, Luther, Leo, and John.

Naomi will be forever remembered by her kindness, generosity, and love.