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Florence Gimson

Florence Irene King Gimson, nicknamed “Fike,” was born Sept. 10, 1925, in Marion. She was the oldest daughter of Roscoe and Lucile (Burkholder) King.

Fike considered Marion the garden spot of the earth with lots of good friends and influential people. She graduated from Marion High School with the class of 1943 and never forgot where she came from — visiting Marion throughout her life.

Fike was born at home on Elm Street and lived in the same house until she left to attend Colorado Women’s College (CWC) where she enjoyed the big city of Denver, new friends, the mountains, and snow skiing. She met her future husband at a CWC dance. Keith L. Gimson, a captain in the Army Air Corps, was one of many military men invited to attend.

Fike and Keith had their first date on April 1, 1945, and after a whirlwind courtship, they were married on Aug. 8, 1945, at Marion Methodist Church — a union that lasted more than 50 years.

The newlyweds moved to Sioux City, Iowa, awaiting Keith’s discharge from the Army. They then moved to Ypsilanti, Mich., and stayed with the Gimson family while Keith completed his flight instructor rating. Soon after, they settled in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where Keith opened an airport and they started a family with the birth of a son, Fred, in November 1946.

Struggling to find family time, Keith accepted a position with Trans World Airlines (TWA) in Kansas City where their second son, Jack, was born in June 1949. Fike was delighted to be closer to family and old friends, but it was short-lived due to TWA furloughs.

In 1949, Keith accepted a job with Delta Airlines and they settled in Atlanta, Ga. On their sixth wedding anniversary, their daughter, Barbara, was born.

As a young girl, Florence had dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or symphony conductor; but, Keith and the children treasured her occupation of raising a loving family. A healthy lifestyle and being a perpetual learner were always essential in Fike’s life. Until mid-October 2009, she walked two miles a day, five or more days a week. She was also an avid reader (her favorite motto was “a book is your best friend”) and lifelong student attending Senior University of Greater Atlanta-Mercer for the past two decades.

Florence’s involvement in the PEO Sisterhood was particularly important. In August 1946, she was initiated by her mother into Chapter DB-Marion and then continued her commitment with Chapter F-Kansas City, Chapter C-Georgia, and above all Chapter G-Georgia. It was her privilege to serve in all offices in Chapter G as well as in the Georgia State Chapter. Florence admitted it was a lot of work, but what a satisfying experience!

Also rewarding was her involvement with Oak Grove United Methodist Church, the Seeker’s Sunday school class, volunteering in the church library, and serving on the Altar Guild. Last, but certainly not least, was Florence’s connection to her loving family and dear friends, her neighbors and walking buddies, her bridge clubs, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra-Concerto Group. To Florence, once a friend always a friend, and they have all played a special part in her life.

Florence is cherished by her children Fred Gimson and his wife, Vicki; Jack Gimson and his wife, Nancy; and Barbara Gimson Miller and her husband, Paul. She is also loved by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Sid Holcombe and his daughter, Ashlee; Erica Gimson and Sean Livingstone and their daughter, Eulaila; Stacy and Brent Wilburn and their son, Nathaniel; Mary and Damon Reabe and their daughter, Caroline, and an expectant son, John Gimson; Kimberly and Nick Ader; Elizabeth and Mark Edsell; and Deborah Gimson and her husband, Matthew Ballard. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gail King; her nephew, Charles L. Darby and family; and niece, Jeanne Darby Swenson and daughter.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; a half brother, Fred Williams King (born to Roscoe and Nettie Williams King); and a sister, Mary Helen (King) Darby.

Florence died Dec. 3, 2009, in Decatur, Ga. Her Celebration of Life service was held Dec. 8, 2009, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, and she was buried next to her husband and parents at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Last modified Dec. 24, 2009

 

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