Viola Estina King nee’ Bess, affectionately known as “Sister King” or “Tanty Queen” or “MAMA,” of Belair, St. Vincent, who resided in Anna’s Retreat 173A-23, St. Thomas, USVI, died at the age of 77 on Tuesday, March 23.
She is survived by her husband, Charles King (St. Thomas); daughters: Jemma, Ancilla and Cardia King (St. Vincent), Annis King Cameron (Canada) and Alcia King-Yorke (St. Thomas); sons: Garfield and Elvette King (St. Vincent); adopted son, Colin Peters (UK); grandchildren: Na-keem Creigg (USA), Keith and Elijah (T&T), Ryan Cameron (Canada), Carshena and Shem Chandler, Courtney, Summer, C.J., Sandrina, Breath-t-sha, Matthew, Mat-nell and Hannah (St. Vincent); and sister, Gertrude Bess (Fairbaine, St. Vincent).
She is also survived by brother, Gershun Bess (St. Vincent); stepchildren: Anna Greaves-Gregg (USA) and Anthony Bowens (T&T); sons-in-law: Kester Gregg (USA), Sonny Cameron (Canada) and Robelto “Randy” Yorke (St. Thomas); sisters-in-law: Almaida Quashie (USA), Christiana David and Isabella Bess (St. Vincent); brothers-in-law: Albert, Uriass and Everton King (Belair, St. Vincent); and nieces and nephews: several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and abroad, including Leonie Foster, Cod-dringe James, Theckla Martin and Monica Bess (St. Vincent), Susie Bess (USA), Roslyn “De De” Muckette, Ruby Audain (Barbados) and Adolphue “Raymond” Hunte.
Other survivors include many other relatives and friends in the USA and on St. Vincent and St. Thomas to include Pastor Agnola Martin, employees of the New Testament Church of God Academy, Pastor Maynard and family and members of the Healing Center New Testament Church of God, St. Thomas, the Smith family, Cecily Davis, Paulette Ible and family; neighbors of Anna’s Retreat 173A-23 and friends.
The viewing will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., Friday, April 16, at the Healing Center New Testament Church of God, No. 41D Contant, St. Thomas, USVI (behind the Old Mill- across from VI Taxi Association building). Interment will be at Western Cemetery No. 3.
