Margaret Yvonne King

Margaret Yvonne King (nee Pennington) was born on July 15, 1941, to the late Richard Pennington and Sallie Mae Pennington-Gatewood (nee King) in Springfield, Tennessee. Margaret was the second oldest of seven (7) children. She was the granddaughter of the late James L. King (dob 6/15/1869) & Bulah M. King (nee Tibbs), and the late John Pennington & Nancy Pennington. She was the great-granddaughter of the late Alfred Tibbs & Sallie Tibbs, and the late Clark King & Mary King.

She began her early education in the Robertson County Tennessee Public School System to later attend Bransford High School in Springfield, Tennessee, where she graduated in 1959 as the Class Secretary. Subsequently, Margaret attended Tennessee State University (formerly Tennessee A&I) from 1959 through 1961.

As she grew into early adult life, she was blessed with a son who was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and fathered by the late James Bevel, Sr., from Itta Bena, Mississippi. Margaret relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the early 1960's and united in matrimony with William King, Jr., from Nashville, Tennessee. From this union one son was born.

In 1968, Margaret obtained employment with the US Postal Service at the Philadelphia, Pa., branch located at 30th & Market Streets. She climbed the promotional ladder from the position of Mail Clerk to Director of Communications. After retiring in 1988, Margaret dedicated her time to home decorating, lawn care, floral display projects, cooking delicious meals & desserts, and grandparenting her three grandchildren that she loved dearly. Margaret's favorite entertainment eateries were the former Latin Casino and Zaberer's. Her favorite foods included everything. She loved to barbecue in her backyard, and eat Breyer's vanilla bean ice cream with her mother Sallie's incredible 7UP cake. Margaret made the best deviled eggs on planet earth. If you ate one, you ended up eating five. Margaret loved baking pies of all varieties with pecan and chess being her favorites. The Lord knows that the kitchen was her stomping ground.

Margaret was a good-hearted person who believed in the doctrines of Christianity. During her youthful years she attended the Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, Tennessee. During her adult life she attended the Greater St. Matthew Independent Church in Philadelphia, PA. Margaret loved and shared the gospel music of Pastor/Evangelist Shirley Caesar in her house on most Sundays. "I'm Coming Lord Just As I Am" was a constantly repeated favorite gospel tune by Pastor Caesar that Margaret truly enjoyed.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, Margaret departed this life at 84 years of age, leaving a wealth of loving memories. She will be missed, but her spirit lives on through all of us who were touched by her gracious humanity.

Margaret leaves behind to cherish her memory two (2) children: Ritchie Darvell King, Sr. and Gregory Lovell King. Also three (3) grandchildren: Ritchie Darvell King, Jr., Riquan Damir King and Tziarra Lanae King (Jessica). In addition, two (2) nieces Bridget Lavonne Payne-White (Kirk) and Frenchie Payne-Smith (Lamar), and one (1) nephew Darryl Lamont Gatewood (Tracie). Moreover, one (1) sister Wilma Hewitt (nee Gatewood). And other family members and friends that include, but are not limited to, cousins, great nieces and nephews.

Margaret was preceded in death by three (3) brothers, Richard Pennington, Jr., Otha N. Gatewood and James C. Gatewood, and two (2) sisters, Brenda Ann Gatewood and Sandra Payne-Black (nee Pennington).

Submitted with love,

The Family

Family and friends are invited to attend Margaret's visitation on Sunday, March 29th, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ, 08004 with the service to follow at 3:00 pm. To view the livestream/recording of the funeral please click here.