Marilyn Jean King

Marilyn “Jean” Dreher King, 71, passed away on November 3, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church in Oxford, Mississippi. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church’s sanctuary. A graveside service will be held at Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Following the graveside service, the family invites you to join them for a gathering at the Stonebridge Clubhouse in Oxford. Peace Lutheran Church is in charge of service arrangements.

Jean was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, and grew up in West Point, Mississippi. She graduated from West Point High School in 1972 and went on to attend college at Mississippi State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in special education.

Her career in education began in 1978 with the Natchez School District, where she taught for two years. In 1980, Jean moved to Oxford, where she joined the South Panola School District and served for 18 years in their Special Education Department. She later transitioned to the Oxford School District, working for seven years as a substitute teacher and at the Oxford Learning Center, where she poured her heart into supporting students who needed her most.

Jean was a devoted Christian and member of Peace Lutheran Church, where she served as treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and volunteer for many church ministries. Deeply committed to her community, she was an active advocate for the Oxford Food Pantry, often organizing volunteer schedules, managing service days, and helping families in need. She also served as a Girl Scout Troop 98 leader, frequently seen at the local Kroger selling cookies with her troop. Jean supported Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous groups in Oxford, offering encouragement and guidance to others

During retirement, Jean continued her lifelong service by becoming an active member of the Oxford branch of the Mississippi Homemakers Association through the Mississippi State Exchange Club, where she remained involved until her passing. She found great joy in crafts, singing hymns, and tending to her rose garden. You could always find her humming a hymn.

Nothing made her happier than spending time with family. Jean is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Richard King, of Oxford; her sisters, Debbie Lancaster of West Point and Paula Oakes of Vicksburg; and her brother, David Dreher of West Point. She is also survived by her loving daughters, Elizabeth Gong (Neil) of Cleveland and Martha Holmes (Matthew) of Ridgeland, and by her five cherished grandchildren: Emma Gong, Amelia Gong, Ryan Gong, Rece Holmes, and Hatch Holmes

The family requests that expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Jean’s memory be made to the Oxford Food Pantry, Post Office Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655, to support families facing food insecurity.