Francina Murrell Carter King

KING ~ Francina Murrell Carter King, affectionately called “Cina”, transitioned into eternal life September 15, 2019.  She was born May 27, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida and was the youngest child born to Murrell Francis Carter and Beatrice Griffin Carter, both of whom preceded her in death.  Francina’s siblings, Vernon Thomas Carter, Virgil Carter and Rosetta Louise Carter Hogan, as well as her husband, Alonzo Edward “Pookie” King, also preceded her in death.  A gracious, kind and most loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, her love for her family and friends was only eclipsed by her love for our Lord and Saviour.

Educated in the local Duval County public schools graduating in the New Stanton Senior High School class of 1958.  She continued her higher learning education at Florida Normal College, Florida A&M University, Temple University and ultimately received her bachelor’s degree from Edward Waters College.  She would later obtain her Masters’ Degree in Education from Nova University. 

The consummate “Educator” – Francina established her career serving in the Duval County School System for over thirty years as a teacher, school newspaper editor and theatre advisor.  Her infectious spirit to teach impacted students at several Duval County Schools including Wolfson Senior High School, Sandalwood Senior High School, Paxon Senior High School, and Douglas Anderson High School of the Performing Arts.

She loved the Lord and was a true Christian believer and servant.  Born and raised in “Her Bethel” - she was baptized into Bethel Baptist Institutional Church and as a youth, would attend services with her siblings led by their grandmother, Maggie Laveda Carter.  She faithfully served in several church ministries including the Bethel Choir, Deacon Board, “Keen-Agers” and Sunday school as a member of the Living Faith Church School class until she became ill. 

Cina loved the arts, especially singing and theatre.  She was well known for her rousing pantomime performances of Patti Labelle’s version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” which she also performed during the Bethel Seniors Luncheon in 2011.  She was an active member in several social and civic organizations throughout her life including the Order of the Eastern Star, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Red Hat Society and Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to name a few.  In these later years, she took pleasure in following her “grands” as they participated in sports, pageants, music and dance.

Francina leaves to cherish her memory, children, Rowena Yvette Blackshear of Fort Lauderdale, Florida,  Alonzo David King IV (Dyanni) and Pilar Beatrice King of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Daniel Antonio Raines and Jamaur Donavon Lewis of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Christopher Dwain Massey of Brunswick, Georgia, Tiffany Nicole Lawrence, Arianna Danae King, Alaina Francina-Elizabeth King and Alonzo Adin-Carter King V of Jacksonville, Florida;  aunt, Florence Carter of Gainesville, Florida; nephews, Derrick Carter Hogan, Sr., of Jacksonville, Florida, Robert Anthony Whitehead (Tawanda) of Mebane, North Carolina, Bembry Bernard King, Jr., (Tyeshia) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; nieces, Cynthia Joy Dennis (Athlene Jones), Chinnery Alexandria King, Dolores Vannette King, Ericka Nicole King and Veronica Gonzalez of Jacksonville, Florida;  great-nephews,  Derrick Kenneth Hogan II and Zyon King of Jacksonville, Florida, Bembry Christian King of Fayetteville, North Carolina;  great-nieces, Veronica Cotto, Taifa Kumalo and Msiza Kumalo of Jacksonville, Florida, Truth Nicole King of Fayetteville, North Carolina;  first cousins, Louis Willord Carter, Jr. (Elder Rosalind King Carter) of Jacksonville, Florida, Thomas Carter and Jack Carter of Gainesville, Florida; brother-in-law, Bembry Bernard King, Sr. (Dione) of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters-in-law, Patricia Adamson of New Bern, North Carolina, Lillian Almeda King Dennis of Jacksonville, Florida,  Gayle Antoinette King Tremble of Jacksonville, Florida, Lisa Chinnery King of Jacksonville, Florida;  adopted sisters, Mary Mitchell (Henry) and Jackie “Doll” Johnson, of Jacksonville, Florida, Bonnie Brown (Sam) of Boynton Beach, Florida; as well as numerous relatives and friends across the country.

Celebration of Life Service for Decon Francina Murrell Carter King  will be 11:00 AM at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Senior Pastor; Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus.  Family will receive friends Friday at the Soutel Chapel from 5 – 7 PM.   Interment at Edgewood Cemetery.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904.924.9400

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