Obituary: Marie Theresa ‘Terri’ King

Marie Theresa “Terri” King, 83, of Oak Ridge, died Wednesday, October 29, at Methodist Medical Center.

She was born July 22, 1931, in Warwick, Rhode Island, the daughter of Arie Ploeger and Rose Choquet.

Terri received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Rhode Island in June 1954 and moved to Oak Ridge from Rhode Island later that year.

Mrs. King was a registered nurse, and she retired from Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after serving as a liaison nurse from 1973 through 1980; then serving as the director of discharge planning and social services from 1981 through 1993. During this period, she was a member of the Anderson County Health Council and the American Society of Hospital Social Work Directors. She also was a Red Cross nurse volunteer and a volunteer nurse at the Arthritis Clinic for many years.

Mrs. King was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served in various offices in St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s Club. She was also a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry at the church.

She served as a Cub Scout den mother for six years, receiving special citations for her service. Additionally, she was a Brownie leader and Girl Scout assistant leader.

After retirement, she continued to volunteer at Methodist Medical Center and was a longtime member of the Oak Ridge Women’s Club, serving as various club officers and as a board member.

Terri was an extensive traveler in her retirement, visiting more than 30 countries on five continents. She loved to experience new places and different cultures.

Mrs. King is survived by her sons, Greg King of Houston, Texas, Bob King and his wife Debbie of Oak Ridge, and Steve King and his wife Lori of Knoxville; her daughter, Judy Riddle and her husband Stephen of Nashville; her grandsons, Matthew King, Michael King, and Jason Mick; her granddaughter, Cheryl Lawson and her husband Jim; and great-granddaughters, Marina Mick, Shelby Mick, Liberty Lawson, and Faith Lawson.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. King was preceded in death by her husband, Lester “Les” King, and her sister, Rose Henriette Thomas.

The family requests that any memorials be in the form of donations to the Lester J. and Marie T. King Memorial Endowment Fund, payable to the University of Rhode Island Foundation, 95 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, or to the St. Joseph Food Pantry, c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 323 Vermont Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

The family received friends on Saturday, November 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral mass will be held on Monday, November 3, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Dustin Collins officiating. A private graveside service will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.