Dorothy King, owner of Everett and Jones BBQ, dies
Dorothy King, owner of Everett and Jones Barbeque.
OAKLAND, California – – She was known as the Queen of ‘Q’; East Bay kitchen matriarch Dorothy King, owner of Everett and Jones BBQ, has died.
King died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by her family, a spokesman said. Details of the cause of death and the age of the king were not disclosed.
The restaurant’s Jack London Square was closed on Thursday for her death. The local franchise has two locations in Oakland and one in Hayward.
König comes from a line of grill kings. Her mother, Dorothy Everett, started the East Bay staple which housed elected officials, celebrities and professional athletes over the years. Everett and Jones have been known to have been “smokin ‘in Oakland” since 1973.
A who’s who list of politicians, celebrities and athletes has dined and hosted events at the restaurant including: Vice President Kamala Harris, Former President Bill Clinton, Congressmen Barbara Lee, Steph and Ayesha Curry, Marshawn Lynch, Berry Gordy and Tyra Banks.
King was active in her community and known for hiring homeless and formerly incarcerated people. With Dignity Housing West in West Oakland, she was able to open a home for women and children. She also stood up for homeless women and their families and made a significant contribution to the fact that housing and urban development opened up free real estate for them.
News of King’s death quickly spread to social media as tributes came in, including entertainer and activist Donald Lacy Jr.
“I say that Oakland lost a champion because it represented so many people in our city: the homeless, the hungry and everyone in need. She had the spirit to do things,” said Lacy Jr .. “As mine Daughter was killed, Dorothy was there for me and my family. ” He said he considered King one of his “sheros”.
King is survived by her husband, four daughters, two sons, two sons-in-law, grandchildren, her siblings, many other family members and her beloved Yorkshire Terrier “Saucey”.