Aileen Agatha King Desbonne

Aileen Agatha King Desbonne was born on March 16, 1941, in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Island to Leopold King Sr. and Elmira Williams King.

Aileen grew up in Savan with her four sisters and five brothers, where she was the middle child. She is a product of the Virgin Islands Public School System where she developed her love for history and politics.  She nurtured many friendships and long-lasting relationships from her early years to present that she valued to adulthood.

As a young lady, Aileen acquired employment with the West Indian Bay Rum Factory through a mutual friend. During this stage of her employment history is where Aileen earned professional skills that many take a lifetime to learn and master through college degrees such as, timeliness, commitment, dedication, teamwork, coordination-collaboration, and great servitude.  Aileen worked with the Bay Rum Factory for over 30 years.

Aileen being resilient and dedicated to providing for her family explored career options that led her to American Airlines.  Aileen worked for American Airlines for 20 years where she retired as a supervisor of what we know today as TSA.  Prior to her role as supervisor, she worked her way up at American Airlines from ramp agent and security screener.  Aileen received countless recognition during her career as an asset and valued employee for her hard work and stewardship.

Aileen’s #1 greatest interest as she has often expressed was raising her five children. Her children can all say they were loved and were never second to anyone.  Aileen sacrificed much and unselfishly gave of herself just so her kids could have the best.  As her children became adults and parents themselves, she embraced and welcomed the shift in her new role. She elevated herself from not only being Mommy to being a grandmother.  She was affectionately called grandma, mama, and Gammy by her nine beautiful grandchildren.  Aileen was also blessed to live to see her energetic two great grandchildren.   She took great joy and pride watching her legacy expand and the family values she fostered expressed in not only her own children but her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Aileen often communicated this in her spoken and unspoken words.

Aileen loved children and was always willingly to lend a helping hand to others.  This was evident in countless ways, even after she raised and cherished her own kids, she also raised one of her brother's children and grandchildren in her home.  She was truly a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Aileen was raised to love the Lord from a young age and dedicated her life again publicly in 2005.  She was an active member of the Apostolic Faith Church: Jesus is the Light of the World. She enjoyed worshiping and serving the Lord and sharing Christian values with children and others.

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria devasted St. Thomas in 2017, Aileen moved to Maryland to live with her daughter and her family and subsequently became a resident of Maryland.  As a result, she was able to vote for the first time in a Presidential election an opportunity that is not afforded to the natives of the Virgin Islands although citizens of the United States.

Aileen looked forward annually to sharing her time between her three daughters in New York. She took joy seeing her daughters, spending quality time with her grandchildren and creating memories every summer.

Aileen was known for her culinary and baking skills which she took pride in preparing for her family: Red Peas Soup, Kalaloo, Dumb Bread and those “Johnny Cakes”.

In her spare time Aileen loved to watch Law and Order, Grey’s Anatomy, The Haves and Have Not.  She was also an avid CNN watcher. Aileen kept her mind sharp by completing crossword puzzles, find the numbers and fill-in the blank.

Aileen transitioned in Maryland to be with the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2022.

Aileen was proceeded in death by her parents Leopold King Sr. and Elmira King, Siblings:  Leopold King Jr., Joyce King Delapaz, Lawrence King, Leonice King, Laverne King Donadelle, Rubio King and Mario King.