Shirley Jean King age 90, of Ojai, California passed away peacefully on November 22, 2022 with family by her side at home in Ojai. Shirley was born in Houston, Texas on October 26, 1932 to Dorothy and Sterling Gardner. She graduated at Jeff Davis High in Houston, Texas, 1949. Shirley began her arts career as a mechanical drawer for a Houston Oil firm. She later put her artistic skills to work into a busy and successful photography business, Shirley King Photography, operating in many pre-schools throughout Ventura County, for pre-school aged children in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s. Shirley was the award winner of choice photographs at the Ventura County Fair. In the early days, Shirley attended photography classes, pottery making, art sculpting, and charcoal drawing portraits at Ventura College. Shirley and husband Bill were avid tennis fans and players in Ojai, California.
Shirley is survived by her eldest daughter, Micki Lane King of Ojai, California, youngest daughter Lauren Sue Belshe (King), husband Larry Belshe of Ventura, California and Shirley’s youngest brother Barney Sterling Gardner of Texas. Shirley loved children, loved raising them and was thankful to have grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild. Survivors are Patti Sunder’s boys Carl Sunder and Brent O’dell Sunder. Carl Sunder and Mitra Watkins children; Jaydon Sunder and Ethane Sunder. Brent Sunder and spouse Ashley Kimball’s children; Everett O’dell Sunder and Elliot Sunder. Jaydon Sunder and Autumn Fritz’s son Gage.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Wilmer (Bill) O’dell King, 2002, daughter Patti Lynn Sunder (King) 2011. Shirley was also preceded in death by her eldest sister Madeline Coburn 2022 and middle sister Joyce Gay 2018 both from Texas.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Help of Ojai, Livingston Memorial Nursing, Ojai Presbyterian church, and all the support from extended family members, friends, nieces and nephews of Shirley.
Funeral services will be held at Ojai Presbyterian Church with Reverend Jeff Holland, Saturday, February 18, 2023, 304 Foothill Rd, Ojai, CA 93023 at 11:00 am. Following the memorial services there will be a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Help of Ojai, helpofojai.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.