Cara Simone King of Tipp City, Ohio, (formerly of Greenfield) passed away unexpectedly at her residence on September 10, 2013.

Cara was the wife of Korey King , formerly of Greenfield, and the mother of Alex and Simone King.

In addition to her husband and children, Cara is survived by her parents, Jim and Madeleine Grandey of Greenfield, Ohio , a brother James {Jessica} Grandey, Jr. of Bluffton, Ohio, and a sister Megan Grandey of Columbus, Ohio. Two nieces, Ayla Grandey and Lainey Grandey, both of Bluffton, Ohio.

Cara King's professional life as a paralegal at the prestigious firm of Coolidge, Wall, Womsley & Lombard preceded her roles the beloved friend of many, the devoted wife of Korey King, and the loving mother of Alex and Simone.

Cara's passion for Tipp City made her well-known, but the energetic good humor she brought to her work endeared her to city residents. Her interest in civic affairs inspired her to serve as Secretary of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership, as a board member of the Tipp City Enrichment Program, and as campaign manager of Councilman McDermott's winning 2010 campaign, in which her organizational expertise played a key role.

An avid student of literature, Cara founded the popular local book club "The Plot Thickens," though she could often be found nursing a latte at Grounds for Pleasure, pot-boiler in hand. She reviewed new fiction at TippNews Daily; in addition to those witty, highly-anticipated reviews, Cara lent her voice to Get Social! Radio as a one-woman news desk, covering local news, sometimes with a healthy dose of no-nonsense commentary.

In typical fashion, Cara turned a personal victory over thyroid cancer to the community's benefit: she enthusiastically championed healthy living as a yoga teacher at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, the Robinson Branch Y, and The Earth's Center. No Tipp youth-swimming competition was complete without her appearing to round up last-minute volunteers, or snap Facebook-ready photos of nervous swimmers. She was particularly strong advocate for special-needs children, particularly those with diagnoses on the Autism spectrum.

Cara's passing leaves an absence. Without her voice, wit, and conviction, Tipp falls under a sudden, unwelcome quiet. But this tragedy invokes a presence, as well. Her memory remains, challenging us to shrug off our dreary routines and see: a city is not a place, but a project; words aren't read, but relished; health is not the absence of disease, but a peculiar persistence of joy--chosen and willed, not in spite of life's uncertainties, but because of them.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 2-5pm at the FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME, 327 West Main Street, Tipp City, Ohio 45317. www.fringsandbayliff.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hahn-Hufford Center for Hope, Neurological Rehabilitation Center, 1306 Garbry Road, Piqua, Ohio 45356. www.rcnd.org