Reverend Dr. Florence (Nottage) King, D.Min., native of Nassau, Bahamas and resident of Medford, Massachusetts was born on September 25, 1941. She was the daughter of the late John and Ophelia (Allen) Nottage. Rev. King’s family immigrated to the U.S. where she became a naturalized citizen who attended school in Cambridge, MA. She peacefully passed away on May 10, 2024, in her home surrounded by her daughters.

In November, 1961, Florence married her high school sweetheart, Paul
“Arnold” King (deceased) at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge MA. Paul and Florence were blessed with three children: Cheryl King (deceased), Paula King of Medford, MA, and Pamela (King) Nigro of Medford, MA. Rev. King was affectionately referred to as “Grandma” to her three grandchildren and adored by her two great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Dr. Florence King was an American Baptist Minister and a pioneer woman minister in many of the churches of Massachusetts, a graduate of Andover-Newton Theological Seminary at Yale Divinity School where she received her Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry in Theology. She was ordained at First Baptist Church, Malden, MA on September 25th
1, 1988.
Rev. King has received numerous awards and citations for her dedicated church service and charitable work. She was a board member with the Mystic Valley Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and served as an Affiliate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Medford. She served many years with Messiah Baptist Church in Brockton, MA and served as an interim minister in Mashpee, Gloucester, and Arlington where she trained, preached, and guided many aspiring ministers to accept their calling. She was also an active member and former President of the West Medford Senior Club of Medford and former President of the NAACP Medford Branch. In 2012, she received her life membership from the Mystic Valley Branch of the NAACP.
She pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) and proudly wears the pink and green colors.

Rev. King graduated from Cambridge High and Latin High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She met her then high school sweetheart and former husband, Paul, who attended Cambridge Rindge High School. After graduating high school, she furthered her education at Boston State College (later merged into UMASS Boston) and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Psychology. From there, she
received her Master of Education from Cambridge College of Arts and Technology. Education was always a high pronty for Rev. King, and she always excelled in her studies. Her education was so vital to her that she even attended classes at night while working full time and caring for her young children.
Rev. King accepted Christ at an early age, where she attended Rush A.M.E Zion Church in Cambridge, MA. She was active in the Children’s Junior Choir, Sunday School, and Youth Fellowship. Once married, she became a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge, MA. Later she united with Shiloh Baptist Church in West Medford, MA, and became Associate Pastor. She was also affiliated with numerous other churches, including St.
Raphael’s Parish in Medford, MA, and Messiah Baptist Church in Brockton, MA, serving in various ministerial capacities and as a member of the choir.
She is fondly remembered for her love of life. She enjoyed time with family and friends. She embraced her relationship with the community. She was committed to ministry and service to others. She had a great sense of humor and she would even visit hospitals dressed in different characters like Miss Piggy to spread cheer to the patients as part of her “Clown” Ministry. She also had her own business that was recognized in “Who’s Who” as an Event Consultant known as “Parties Planned by Florence: Be a guest at your own party.” Most importantly, she always made time for a candid picture!

Rev. King was involved in many organizations and affiliations:
* Ministers Council, American Baptist Churches/USA (ABC/USA) -
Life Member
* First Woman President, Medford Branch NAACP – Life member
* AARP, Chapter 1132 Mystic, Medford – Past President
* Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Psi Omega Chapter
* Northern Baptist Education Society – Board Member
* Old Colony Association ABC of MA – Past moderator
* Council of Churches – Board member MA
* West Medford Community Center – Board member and Senior Club
President

Photo: Left to remember her life and mourn her passing are her daughters: Paula Marie King and Pamela Arnelle (King) Nigro, both of Medford, MA;
Three grandchildren: Dr. Jessica Charles-LaRose MD, MBA and her husband Gregory Alan LaRose, Alexander Christopher Nigro, and Teya Alycea Nigro; and two great-grandchildren:
Willow
Paisley
LaRose and Gracyn Sophia LaRose. She is survived by her siblings: Elizabeth (Nottage) Simmons, and Lila Ann (Nottage) Reid and her husband Darius Reid. She was preceded in death by her parents Ophelia (Allen) Nottage, John Nottage (Lila Mac), daughter Cheryl Anne King, Former Husband Paul A.
King, Brother-in-law Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Simmons. She is survived by a host of cherished nieces and nephews, in-laws, cousins, extended family, church family and dear friends.