Beverly W. King, 76, Was County Register of Deeds

Beverly W. King of West Tisbury, former Dukes County register of deeds, West Tisbury town clerk and Realtor, died Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was 76.

Born March 11, 1929, in Boston, Beverly was the daughter of Kenneth and Helen (Estabrook) Webster. She was educated in the Boston school system.

Following marriage to her late husband, John J. Egan, she moved to Westwood. There, they raised their two daughters, Kathleen and Donna. She also worked as a model for Jordan Marsh.

In 1961, after her divorce, Beverly moved to Martha's Vineyard where she met and eventually married William H. King. They had two children, Elaine and William. Beverly loved the Vineyard and especially her adored West Tisbury; it was the only place she wanted to live.

Beverly worked first for the attorney Henry Corey and then for the attorney Richard McCarron as a legal secretary. She was elected West Tisbury town clerk in 1964, a position she held until 1968. She then opened Beverly W. King Real Estate, working from her home.

In 1977, with her real estate skills and experience as a legal secretary, Beverly was elected register of deeds for Dukes County. She held the position until her retirement in 1995. Subsequently, she continued to work in real estate until she closed the business in 2005.

Beverly touched many lives with her generosity and kindness. If there was someone in need in the community she was always there to help. Holidays at the King household were a special time for everyone; all were welcome. Her smile and sense of humor were always a great joy to family and friends.

Travel was a passion with Beverly, whether it was trips to Hawaii or Puerto Rico, or to the Caribbean on windjammer cruises. Her most recent trip was in November, when she traveled to Florida.

The West Tisbury Congregational Church was a special place for Beverly, particularly at Christmas time. It was there that she shared her artistic talent for crafting wreaths and holiday centerpieces, usually with a tiny bird nesting somewhere among the flowers.

Beverly is survived by her daughter, Kathleen M. O'Sullivan, and husband, David, of Edgartown; her son, William H. King Jr., and wife, Bonnie, of East Bridgewater; her brother, Kenneth Webster, and his wife, Lois, of Temple, N.H.; their daughter, Paula, and son, Kenneth; her grandchildren, Jacqueline Gibson of West Tisbury, Jeffrey P. Kurth of Edgartown, Jason C. Kurth and wife Christine of Oak Bluffs, Kristina M. Kurth of Attleboro and Ben King of East Bridgewater; her great-grandson, Jason David Kurth of Oak Bluffs; and her stepdaughters, Janet Stead and family and Wendy Oliver and family, all of Oak Bluffs.

Beverly was predeceased by her husband, William, and her beloved daughters, Donna Egan and Elaine King.

A memorial service will be held at the West Tisbury First Congregational Church on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m.

Donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, P.O. Box 2097, Edgartown, MA 02539 or to the American Cancer Society, 720 Main street, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.