Virginia W. King's Obituary
Virginia W. (Mabee) KingNovember 25, 1916 - July 10, 2014 Virginia Wilson Mabee was born at home on November 25, 1916 to Albert Ira and Etna Frances (Cox) Mabee in Springfield, Oregon. In May of 1918 her family, including sisters Alberta and Etna, moved to Gladstone. Gingie, as she was often known, attended Gladstone and Oregon City schools graduating from Oregon City High School in 1934. Attending 12 years, never missing a single day of school, she received a Perfect Attendance Certificate signed by the State Schools Superintendent. In 1936, she placed her membership in the Gladstone Christian Church; we believe this made her their current longest attending member. For decades she worked quietly behind the scenes producing their church programs and newsletters. Being the youngest of three girls, she represented her family in WWII by joining the US Army. As a court reporter, Corporal Mabee traveled to North Africa, serving in Cairo and Casablanca. She was the epitome of The Greatest Generation. Later she worked at Crown Zellerbach and at the Gladstone branch of US Bank from 1962 until retiring in 1979. She married James B. King in 1949 (deceased in 2007) and was the mother of Wilda A. Lahmann (husband Randy - deceased) and Gerald B. (wife Nancy). She has 12 living grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Virginia Mae and a grandson, Jeremy Lahmann. Virginia was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for baking, candy making and letter writing. She was happiest when serving others, never quite comfortable being served. The photo is from when the City of Gladstone honored her as their "Queen Victoria" in the 2007 Chautauqua Days parade. The family suggests remembrances to the church. Services are pending for this September.
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