Gwen King

Gwen Ellington King bounced into this world on December 1, 1937 much to the delight of her parents, Ben and Lib McClamroch. From the beginning, Gwen brought energy and sparkle wherever she went.

She grew up in Raleigh, NC, collecting stray dogs, snakes, and caterpillars, and picking blackberries. She graduated from Broughton High School where she played the trumpet in the marching band. Gwen then attended East Carolina University to study English and library science, where she also discovered her lifelong love of the arts.

One summer in Raleigh she met a cute boy from Asheville named Tom Ellington. She knew immediately that he would ask to marry her, which he promptly did two weeks after their first meeting. They were married for 27 happy years and had three children together.

Gwen and Tom raised their young family in upstate New York for just over a decade. She worked with the community theater, served as president of the Friends of the Philharmonic, and supported the annual Young Artists' Competition at Vassar College. In the 1970s, she and her best friend, Marland, owned Terraria Cosmo, selling plants and groovy terrariums.

Gwen was known for her culinary skills for which she was featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal. She was also famous for her highly anticipated annual Christmas Eggnog Party. While in New York, Gwen went on to earn a Masters Degree in Library Science from C.W. Post University, which she applied as a librarian in the local school system.

In 1979, Gwen and Tom moved back to North Carolina, building their home in Concord. As anyone who loved and knew her could expect, Gwen immediately became involved in her community: she served on the Board of Directors at Cooperative Christian Ministry, was an active member of the Episcopal Church Women, and was the wedding director at All Saints' Episcopal Church for decades, where she also served on the Altar Guild. Gwen was on the original Cabarrus Arts Council, and was instrumental in establishing the Stitches With the Saints Ministry, which continues to provide healing shawls to those in need.

Shortly after arriving in Concord, Gwen became a Realtor. Through the decades of her career, Gwen helped many families to find their first, second, and even third homes. She truly excelled at helping people find their home in the community she loved.

One of the last things Tom told Gwen before his death in 1986 was, "It's been a lot of fun living with you." A few years later, when she was ready to love again, Gwen prayed for a new husband with a very specific list of attributes. God delivered precisely in the form of Sam King, who arrived at her home driving a Jaguar with a six pack of his favorite beverage in the passenger seat. Upon their marriage, Gwen gained three bonus children, whom she loved as her own. Sam and Gwen loved traveling together and danced their way from the beach to the mountains, sharing many joyful years until his passing in 2002. As Sam succinctly summarized, "You put a spark in my life!"

Gwen loved her time with friends in the Merry Tiller Garden Club, the Potpourri Book Club, her bridge and luncheon clubs, and the Gourmet Group. Gwen was the last surviving member of a cherished group of friends who affectionately referred to themselves as The Steering Committee. The Committee lunched weekly at The Red Pig on Corban Avenue for many years, where they planned graduations, showers, weddings, funerals, and all of life's most important events with much laughter and camaraderie.

Gwen entered into eternal life on February 26, 2026.

The matriarch of a large and loving family, she is survived by her children, Beth Simpson (Bob), Ben Ellington (Beth), Richard Ellington, Sam King (Beth), Helen King Taflinger (David), and Ann Hoelz (Dean); grandchildren, Beck Simpson (Kelsey), Bo Simpson (Dominika), Jack Simpson (Maggie), Mac Ellington, Tommy Ellington, Sarah Jane Ellington, Josh Ellington, Meredith Barbee (Phillip), Haley King, Hampton King, Macy Dunklin, Garth Dunklin Jr., and Mary Beth Harrington (Joe); four great-grandchildren; and dear friends, Marland, Jeanne, Brenda, Bobbi, and Cindi, among the many others whom she adored.

A celebration of Gwen's life will be held at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Concord on March 21, 2026 at 11am, immediately followed by a reception in the parish hall. Donations may be made in her memory to All Saints' Episcopal.