Elizabeth G. King

Elizabeth Garnetta King, the last child born of Dazrine Sims King and John King, Sr., was born on February 2, 1918 in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County.  Ms. King grew up in Athens, Ga and was educated in the Clarke County School System attending both West Broad Street School and Athens High and Industrial School graduating in 1936. Ms. King excelled in basketball while attending Athens High and Industrial School and was one of the first inductees into the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

After completing high school, she went to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her bachelor’s degree in History.  Later and while working, she went summers to Atlanta University where she received the Masters of Arts degree in education. Ather the integration of the University of Georgia, she completed  post graduate studies there.

When she graduated from Spelman College, she began her teaching career in 1943 at the Comer, Georgia School for Blacks. She taught there for two years. In 1945, she was hired to teach at her Alma Mater, Athens High and Industrial School.  While there she taught social studies, history, and French.

Ms. King was the girls’ basketball coach at Athens High and Industrial from 1945 to 1970.  She was also coordinator of track and field, the trainer for cheerleaders and majorettes and served in many other capacities. She continued her teaching and coaching career at Clarke Central High School until her retirement in 1978.

In August 2012, the former Athens High and Industrial/Burney Harris High School gymnasium was named in her honor to be the Elizabeth G. King Gymnasium.  In February 2018, Nancy B. Denson, Mayor of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia honored Ms. King by declaring February 3, 2018 as Elizabeth G. King Day in Athens-Clarke County in honor of her 100th Birthday.

Ms. King grew up attending Hill Chapel Baptist Church and was an active member serving in a variety of roles. She was also a member of many educational, civic and social organizations to include the Iota Psi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc., Athens High and Industrial/Burney Harris High School Alumni Association, The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, Clarke County Teachers Association, The Retired Educators Association, The Athenians Social Club and The Bon-Bons Social and Civic Club, Athenian Social and Civic Club, The Athens Athletic Hall of Fame, Life Member of the Major League Baseball Club, and Life Member of the History Society.  She lived a life of help and service whenever she could in her quiet and studious way.      

She is survived by her niece, Mrs. Gladys Gardenshire; “adopted children” and their families; Mrs. Freddie B. Jackson and Mrs. Sarah R. Tate (Henry).  Special Godchildren, Mr. Gregory Hull, Mrs. Barbara Archibald (Wrenford) and Mrs. Elizabeth Platt (Frank); Adopted Grandchildren, Xernona Thomas (Reginald), K. Shaun Tate and Eric Tate (Angkana); great-grandchildren, Jameson and Camille Thomas, Destiny, Demetrius and Donavon Pope and Kammali and Maya Tate; Great-great-grandson Daylin Moses; several great nieces and nephews; two dedicated care providers, Ms. Carloyn Adams and Ms. Lisa Merritt and her Hill Chapel Baptist Church family.

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