Christine King Farris, the final surviving sibling of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died at 95.
Confirming her dying, her niece, the Rev. Bernice King, shared the information on Twitter on Thursday, June 29.
All through the years following her brother’s assassination in 1968, Farris labored alongside Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow, Coretta Scott King, to protect and advance his legacy. Whereas Farris remained much less seen in comparison with her well-known sister-in-law, her activism and grief performed important roles, though usually behind the scenes.
Farris was born Willie Christine King on September 11, 1927, in Atlanta, as the primary little one of Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Christine Williams King.
Farris performed an instrumental position in helping Coretta Scott King in establishing The King Middle and in educating Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance. For years, she graced the ecumenical service commemorating her brother’s birthday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the place her grandfather and father had additionally preached and the place Farris remained a member. She usually shared private tales about her brother to humanize him and make his achievements relatable to folks.
The King Middle expressed its sorrow for the lack of Farris, noting her position as a founding board member, former vice-chair, and treasurer, accompanied by a photograph of her. Bernice King shared a photograph on Twitter, reminiscing about her aunt and expressing love and gratitude.
Martin Luther King III talked about that he, his spouse, and his daughter have been in a position to spend time with Farris throughout her last days.
Farris graduated from Spelman School in 1948, incomes a level in economics on the identical day Martin Luther King Jr. obtained his sociology diploma from Morehouse School. Farris later returned to Spelman, the place she labored for over 50 years. In 1960, she married Isaac Newton Farris, they usually had two kids, Angela Christine Farris Watkins and Isaac Newton Farris Jr.
Farris authored two kids’s books, “My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Rising Up With the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and “March On! The Day My Brother Martin Modified the World.” In 2009, she penned her memoir, “By It All: Reflections on My Life, My Household, and My Religion.”
She additionally has served as a professor at Spelman School and different establishments.
A number of distinguished Black Individuals mourned the creator, educator, and civil rights activist on social media on Thursday.
