there's more than one kind of king snake in these parts. In addition to the one you described, there is a red, black, and yellow one, often confused with the coral snake because of the striping. The ole saying is that "red on yellow will kill a fellow, red on black is safe for Jack," or something like that.
It may not be a king snake but I have had a number of locals tell me that it is, and I do remember ole timers telling me that as a youngster.