Mollie King, 82, volunteer, newspaper columnist

Mollie King might have become an accomplished ballerina if not for World War II.

As a youth, she studied ballet in her hometown of Abergavenny, Wales. Her instructor recognized her talent and suggested further study in London. But London was under bombardment by the Germans, so her father squashed the idea.

Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Primrose Parry King, 82, of Athens died of a heart attack Monday at her home. The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens.

In 1946, Mrs. King came to the United States as a war bride, the wife of American soldier William D. King of Colbert. She became a citizen and early on worked at a department store in Athens. For nearly two decades she was a columnist for the now-defunct Athens Observer.

After the column ended, she penned letters on local and international issues to the local newspaper. The community activist also volunteered as librarian at Whitehead Road Elementary School.

Mrs. King never regretted not pursuing a dancing career. She knew it wasn’t possible due to the war. “If she had, she would have done it with excellence,” said her son Jonathan Parry King of Watkinsville. “She encouraged us to do whatever we wanted to do, but to do it well.”

Other survivors include her husband, William D. King of Athens; two sons, William Parry King of Decatur and Timothy Parry King of Milton; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.