Regina (Gina) Ann King, age 66, of Carrollton, Missouri, passed away at her home on December 22, 2025, with her family gathered by her side. Gina was the daughter of Curtis Garner and Frances Mae (Carr) Pennington, born on September 24, 1959, in Carrollton, Missouri.
Gina attended school in Carrollton, Missouri. Gina met her husband, Donald (Donnie) King, and the two were married at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, Missouri, on June 4, 1977, and spent a wonderful relationship spanning over 48 years. Together they raised their two daughters Angela (Angie) King and Pamela (King) Horine. Gina especially loved spending time with her only grandchild Tristan Wright. They spent hours having tea parties, playing dress up, planning birthday parties, holidays, teaching her how to cook, decorate cookies and cakes.
Gina worked in law enforcement for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and the Town of Carrollton. But Gina’s passion was cooking. She spent many years as a cook and then Dietician for the Carrollton School District cooking home-style meals for the students, many of which might remember her famous homemade rolls. She later went on to work at Carroll House and Life Care Center in Carrollton, Missouri, lovingly providing the residents with the same home cooked meals and desserts they grew up with.
Gina was often asked to make popcorn, cookies, cakes for any occasion, and pans of her famous homemade rolls and cinnamon rolls. She loved to make her special cinnamon rolls and German chocolate cake for the H.E.L.P. Cancer Auction each year. She was always very proud that they brought in large amounts of money to help those with cancer throughout our local communities. Gina loved to cook and entertain her family, providing meals made from scratch with home grown vegetables and amazing desserts. On special occasions Gina would provide a feast for all her family that would rival even the most elaborate restaurants. There were trays of elegant cookies, hors d’oeuvres of all types, ornate cakes and meats all cooked to perfection. After each meal she enjoyed playing board games with her family and would play far into the evening. Occasionally Gina would get a request for someone’s child’s birthday, and if she knew they were financially stretched thin she would happily donate birthday cakes or treats for their child’s birthday to make the day special. In her spare time she loved to oil paint, and they were some of the most beautiful detailed paintings.
Gina is survived by her husband, Donald (Donnie) King, her daughters Angela (Angie) King of Carrollton, Missouri; Pamela (King) Horine and husband Dr. Andrew Horine of Carrollton, Missouri; one granddaughter, Tristan Wright and husband Dustin Batton of Fort Polk, Louisiana; one brother, Curtis Pennington and wife Myrna of Lenexa, Kansas; two sisters, Mary O’Neal of Boliver, Missouri; Nancy Gonzalez and husband Cesar of Richmond, Missouri.
Gina was preceded in death by her parents Curtis and Francis Pennington, two brothers, Robert Dean Pennington, Clarence Elmer Pennington, and one sister, Clara Belle (Pennington) Bish.
No visitation or funeral services are planned as the family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a memorial contribution, please consider donating to the H.E.L.P. Cancer Fund of Carroll County. Arrangements entrusted to Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Carrollton, www.hiddenvalleyfunerals.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
