"The cloud that lingers will soon blow away,

Maybe not right now, but it will someday." – Kayla King


Kayla Marie King, 29, of Mt Pleasant, SC, was taken from us too soon and died at her home on September 18, 2024.

She was born in Hermitage, PA in 1994 to David and Deanna (Canil) King. Kayla grew up always loving her family and friends ferociously and fearlessly. Kayla always had a big heart for the outcasts, the unwanted, and the forgotten. Knowing the pain of rejection, she took us all in, proudly, with open arms, a big toothy smile, and an effervescent Elmo snort laugh that could banish the darkest demons and slay the biggest, most ferocious dragons. Over the years, she devoted her life to helping those in misfortune, getting her Master's degree from Penn State, her LCPA license, and taking in countless foster "wonks," like her 3 failed fosters: Sailor – the orange cat with four staple-remover teeth and one eyeball/braincell, Scallop – a cheetah disguised as a seal, disguised as a dog, and the dog of her life: Shrimp – a worn-out, many-times-mama beagle with stilt legs.

Despite questionable decisions like having her 1st kiss with a hot GE incandescent lightbulb at age 3, and purposefully trying to fail out of band (so she wouldn't have to navigate the social hierarchy while toting around a saxophone with a wheelie case) only to promote herself to advanced band, Kayla was passionate with a fierce wit, intelligence, and old-soul intuition. Ever the prankster, she took joy in reciting SpongeBob SquarePants quotes, capturing her life in the most hysterical memes, and brightening the darkest days with witty quips, banter, and copious funny selfies (featuring her favorite feature – her mole).

She moved to Charleston, SC – her dream city – to pursue her bucket list. She lived her life to the fullest, crossing many items off the list like owning a business, skydiving, getting a tattoo, adopting a dog or a cat (she did both!), living by the beach, passing her LCPA, parasailing, paddleboarding, voting, and holding a monkey. She was world renowned for not holding back her opinion, her masterful use of four-letter words, and being able to down Michaelina's wheels-and-cheese like they were air. Kayla was an amazing creative writer and poet, with aspirations to become a published writer. Her presence was often marked with her joy of dance – either by kick lines, kick-ball- changes or pirouettes in the kitchen.

Above all, Kayla cherished her Papa (Herman G. Canil), her devoted and loving mother (Deanna Canil), her boss, April, her friends – especially Veronica and Mery, Ash, Katie, and Leo, her devastated siblings – Krista "Dobby", Jordan "Geeg", and honorary brother Markle, her cousins and family, friends, clients, and coworkers. She specifically expressed gratitude for all those who helped her and the people in her life that kept her going.

Kayla will always be remembered for her endless compassion and the way that she always lifted others up, even when she couldn't lift herself. We'll always remember her starting her phone calls with "Is this the Krusty Krab?!" and asking Markle "Hey Mark!?" to cheekily ask for $5. We couldn't have asked for a better sibling and will miss our "Peep" dearly. As much as my mother loved her, Kayla would always insist she loved her more. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all that loved her.

Kayla was preceded in death by her spicy (her words) grandmother, Annabelle Canil, and her grandparents Shirley and Vincent King.

Kayla wrote an obituary for herself and asked that we celebrate her life – all of it – and that we do not mourn.

"I had a wonderful and fulfilling life, lost 27k in a fraudulent business, lived by the beach, and saved a fortune by ringing up my honey crisp apples as bananas at self-checkout. I've only ridden in a cop car twice, and even earned a dollar at a strip club because someone thought I was a stripper and put a dollar in my dress. I peaked and now I will spook. Peace to my loved ones, and if I didn't love you, Imma rise up and haunt you. Amen. Godspeed."

In lieu of flowers, please practice random kind and senseless acts of beauty as Kayla would, or donate to Centre County PAWS, Project HEAL, or NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

Interment will be private.

A celebration of life will be held later and will feature the "Ghostbusters" theme song, Hormel party trays, and a mostly Pitbull dance party per her request.

She asked for this to be written this way many times – We love you and will miss you forever, Kayla.