James Skelton King, 1914-1997

  James Skelton King was the fourth of six children born to Charles B. and Mamie Moore King on November 7, 1914, in Gasburg, Virginia. He was the product of a Christian home and as a child attended Olive Branch Methodist Church. In the midst of the Great Depression, his family experienced the tragic death of his father. At the time, Skelton was a junior in the local high school. Because of his responsible and "take charge" nature, he dropped out of school and took over the family businesses including the local country store, a cotton gin, and two farms. He completed his high school studies through night courses with the help of local teachers.

  During those early years of adulthood, he held together his family consisting of his widowed mother and five siblings. In 1941, he met and married Virginia Frances Walton. They established their home in Gasburg and became parents of two children: Charles Benjamin and Frances Elaine.

  The following five years of this family’s life were filled with hard work and joyful times in this country village of Brunswick County. But God had something greater in store for Skelton. One Sunday as he was taking his place in Olive Branch Church, he was invited to be superintendent of the Sunday school. This was a man who was neither experienced nor trained to stand before a group of people. Yet it was his nature to face a challenge. He agreed to accept the leadership position, with the result being his call to ordained ministry a few months later.

  He began his ministry in 1949 as a licensed local pastor of the Cumberland Methodist Charge in the Farmville District. In 1953, while serving the Prince Edward Charge, he began his undergraduate studies at Longwood College, 21 years after high school graduation. With completion of his college courses, he attended Duke University for the ministerial "course of study" training. All of the time continuing to serve his appointed churches, look after his growing family, and care for his aging mother and the family businesses.

  During his 30 years of ministry, he served in addition to the Cumberland and Prince Edward charges, the East Nottoway Charge, the Pittsylvania Charge, the West Brunswick Charge, Centenary Church in Jarratt, and Warsaw United Methodist Church, with retirement coming in 1979 from the Boykins Charge.

  His years of retirement were enjoyed back with his friends and family in the village of Gasburg and Olive Branch United Methodist Church. Even in his later years, he never lost the touch of God’s hand upon his life as he prayed with his family and challenged all of those around him to seek the higher levels of living their faith.

  On September 21, 1997, he reached out for his Saviour’s hand and received that of which he had proclaimed for 30 years. His Service of Death and Resurrection was a great celebration of worship held in his home church where his faith journey had originally begun. The service was led by his pastor, the Rev. David Craig and his superintendent, the Rev. Anthony Layman. Assisting were his bishop, Joe E. Pennel, and his son, the Rev. Charles B. King. "In Thee, O Lord, Have I Put My Trust!"

— Charles B. King