Doris Marie Holloway King

Life Journey of Reverend Doris M. King

Doris Marie Holloway King was born on November 17, 1940, to the former Edna Evans and Jesse Holloway, in the small, coal-mining "Holler" of Jenkinjones, WV. She spent her early years in the tight-knit coal-mining community, where she learned the values of faith and always made room for family.

Doris graduated in 1958 from Gary District High School in Gary, WV. The "Holler" has long since gone along with the Gary District High School, but the graduates continue to gather for reunions to this very day. Being a part of this group of students meant a great deal to her and was the first stepping stone to a life of service to others.

By 1959 Doris and her mother, Edna, left West Virginia behind and moved to Brooklyn, NY. Edna worked at King's County Hospital when Doris came to visit and caught the eye of her charming co-worker, James King. It is a long-running joke in the family that their meeting was far from love at first sight. "I can't stand him." Were Doris's words to describe her feelings about his repeated acceptance of Edna's dinner invitations. Mr. King discovered dinner was the way to "wear Doris down." He succeeded! James joined the United States Air Force in 1960, and the two were married on March 11, 1962. To this union, four children were born. Together, Doris and James celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Doris believed that God has a calling and a purpose for everyone's life, and in 1969 she received her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse, ministering love and healing to the sick. Being in a military family offered many adventures for the King family. They lived in tropical places like Puerto Rico and even the most picturesque—Anchorage, Alaska. At New Hope Baptist Church, in Anchorage, Doris accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and developed a hunger and passion for God's Word and serving.

In 1992, Doris and James moved to Louisville, KY, after 30 years of moving their family around the country. Doris met Pastor Benny Williams at a Christian Book Store. Neither fully understood that their meeting was a "Holy Ghost Setup." Pastor Williams introduced Doris and James to the "little church on the hill." There, at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, they found their church home and a new set of friendships and ministries that celebrated and supported them through illnesses and healings while glorifying God.

In 2015, against so many odds, Doris was ordained into the gospel ministry. She never stopped studying and never stopped serving, and never stopped traveling. On February 17, 2021, surrounded by her children and loving husband reading the scriptures she loved so much, God called Doris home to take her rest.

Doris leaves to cherish her memory: Her spouse James H. King, Sr. Children: Scheryl Bailey, (who preceded her in death) (Joseph), James H. King Jr (Jacqueline), Terrance A. King, Kamala M. King, Brian A. King (Sonya). Cayonna Lewis. Sister: Karen Johnson. Grandchildren: LaKeisha Williams, Erikka Hallback, Alquin Cy-Ron Spencer Jr, Terrance King II, Iziaha King, Natalia King, Jaylon Lewis. Great Grandchildren: Deon jr. Destin, and Dekin TeJean King Hallback.