Virginia "Jo" Epting King

She was born June 29, 1933 to Lemuel Brooks Epting and Avis Wells Epting in Ellistown, Mississippi. Jo graduated from Sherman High School and Blue Mountain College. In later years she completed post-graduate work at Ole Miss and UAB.

She began her teaching career at Northeast Junior College in Booneville, Mississippi where she taught girls’ physical education. While there, she met and married James A. “Hot” King, the boys’ physical education instructor. In 1960 she gave birth to a daughter, Jama Brooks.

The family moved to Cullman in 1966. Jo taught various classes at West Point High School; while there, she was also the yearbook advisor and the senior class sponsor. She spent the majority and remainder of her career teaching business at the Cullman County Vocational Center. Jo loved teaching and watching her students flourish.

Mrs. King was an active and faithful member of First United Methodist Church, the Wesley Fellowship Class, the Lioness Club, the Colene Circle and the Cullman Emmaus community. She was a loving friend to all.

Jo loved staying active -- in mind, body and spirit. As a youth she loved playing basketball -- anytime, anywhere with anybody. As an adult she enjoyed working in her yard, traveling and spending time with family and friends. In later years she experienced great joy attending the early morning “old person” exercise class, the Wednesday morning bible study and the Wednesday afternoon bridge group.

Jo was an avid sports fan. She loved her Mississippi State Bulldogs and kept up with all other SEC teams. She enjoyed traveling to the SEC Basketball tournaments. Jo was especially proud when the State Baseball Team, the team on which her husband had been a member in the mid-50’s, won the National Championship.

Even in the midst of great adversity Jo always demonstrated a positive attitude, unwavering determination and a generous, thoughtful spirit – always placing others before herself.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Jama Gaines, her grandson, Graham Gaines and her beloved extended family. All of whom she loved deeply.

We know she was welcomed home by so many who preceded her in death: her parents, Brooks and Avis; her husband, James; her son-in-law Eddie; her brother, Luther and so many other family and friends. We wonder if her favorite grand dog, Speck was waiting there also.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cullman First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 21st at 11:00am. The body will lie in state beginning at 10:00am. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20th from 1:30 – 5:00pm in Hearin Hall at the church.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB or Brooks’ Place Child Advocacy Center.

Moss Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mossservicefh.com for the King family.