Shirley JOANNE King rested in the arms of Jesus peacefully on November 19, 2024, in her home in Ventura, CA. Daughter of Esther (Effland) and Glenn Bailey, she was born in Ellisville, IL, on July 13, 1946, and raised in London Mills, IL, until age 11 when her family moved to Southern California. Joanne developed a love of piano and dance at an early age. With her family, she moved multiple times during her youth and in 1964 they moved to Ventura where she met Patrick Stevens, was married, and had their son Todd. Her faith began to blossom in her twenties and she began attending Ventura Baptist Temple church in Ventura, CA. She was a caring mother and wanted that faith instilled in her son Todd. Playing the piano continued to be her favorite pastime. She could play music for hours. It was her “Happy Place”. She focused a large portion of her life to sign language that she used to interpret church services, worship music and sermons which led to witnessing her love for Jesus to the deaf and hearing impaired. On a trip to Israel, she interpreted sermons for evangelist Hal Lindsey. Sign language and playing the piano was her way of “using her hands to glorify the Lord.” Seeing her interpret the song “How Great Thou Art” was a spiritual experience for anyone watching. Joanne attended Beauty College in Ventura and later went on to own a nail salon, London Nails. Her nail clients, the deaf community, and church potlucks gave her many opportunities to fulfill her greatest passion of listening to people and hearing their life stories. After retirement she carried on her passions by serving as a volunteer on the Ventura Police Department where she assisted the police on the streets and communicating with the deaf. Joanne was a published poet, loved to read, study the Bible, journal, tap dance, play cards, and participated in the Christian Motorcycle Association prison ministry in MO, whose mission was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the incarcerated. She is survived by her husband, Frank King; son, Todd Stevens (Lynne), siblings, Danny Bailey (Brenda), Rhonda Jacobs and Gayla Totaro (Joseph); granddaughters, Alyssa and Lindsey Stevens. Services will be held at Reality Church, 5415 Ralston, Ventura, CA 93003, on December 14, 2024 at 10:00am. Flowers may be sent to Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Road Mortuary, 15 Teloma Dr, Ventura, CA 93003. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to International Fellowship of Christians & Jews or a charity of your choice.
Family and friends are invited to funeral services to be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10am in Reality Church, 5415 Ralston Street, Ventura. Interment will then immediately follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura.