Clorinda Zavelli King

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Clorinda Zavelli King. Clorinda (AKA “Corine” to friends and “Mimi” to family) was born July 13, 1924, to parents Antonio and Aqualena (Lena) Zavelli in Memphis, TN. She died peacefully on July 11, 2023, just short of her 99^th birthday. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years William L. (Bill) King III, her parents, sisters Gloria Daniel and Cheryl Zavelli, brother Jimmy Zavelli, and son-in-law John Connolly.  

She is survived by her two daughters: Linda King Prater (Ron), and Connie King Connolly; four granddaughters: Christy Barnum (Jeff), Meghann Miller (Chris), Jessica Haddock (Shawn), Tarah Burkhart (Keith); eight great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.   

Clorinda graduated from nursing school at the age of 46 in 1970, and worked for a local doctor’s office in Memphis, TN for many years. She was known for her sense of style and quick wit. She enjoyed combing through magazines and cookbooks for new recipes to try and passed along her love of good food to her family. She lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures: chatting with family and friends in English and her native Italian, oil painting which included many family portraits, gardening, reading and a strong religious faith. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, aunt, sister and true friend that will be dearly missed and remembered.  

The family welcomes friends for a visitation and service on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Harpeth Hills Memory Garden, Funeral Home & Cremation Center located at 9090 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221.  You are also invited to share any memories of Clorinda on the Guestbook at https://www.harpethhills.com/obituaries 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.