Tributes pour in as Christine King Farris, activist and sister of Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 95
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Christine King Farris, the oldest sister and last living sibling of the late Martin Luther King Jr., has died. She passed away at 95 yesterday (June 29).
According to a press release shared by The King Center, Farris walked in the footsteps of her brother when it came to activism and being a champion for social justice. Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1927, being “one of the longest-serving, tenured professors at Spelman College, impacting students’ lives for 56 years, from 1958 to 2014” was just one of her many accolades. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Christine King Farris, [class of ‘48], Spelman Professor Emerita and sister of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will continue to celebrate her impactful legacy on generations of Spelmanites and extend condolences to her family,” Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of the prestigious campus, tweeted following the devastating news.
The King Center Remembers Dr. Christine King Farris
Official Statement: https://t.co/HEjiuYULuv#QueenKing #GreatAncestor #ChristineKingFarris pic.twitter.com/drTkCPw332
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) June 29, 2023
Reverend Al Sharpton described Farris as “a strong, regal, and wise woman” while sharing a cherished photo of himself, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, and her “taken the night Barack Obama was elected to become president of the United States.” Warnock sent his condolences, adding, in part, “l’m deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Christine King Farris, the longest-serving member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. As the sister of Georgia’s greatest son, Martin Luther King Jr., she fused the lessons of civil rights and education as a Spelman College professor and passed that training borne of experience to students who now serve all over the world. I’m praying for her family.”
Her relatives shared their sentiments as well. “Our family mourns the passing of my aunt, Willie Christine King Farris. As the eldest sibling of my father, Martin Luther King Jr., Aunt Christine embodied what it meant to be a public servant. Like my dad, she spent her life fighting for equality and against racism in America,” Martin Luther King III wrote on Twitter.
See others reflecting on Christine King Farris’ impact below.
Dr. Christine King Farris.
An extraordinary educator.
My father’s sister.
One of the co-laborers with my mother in founding The King Center.
Phenomenal Woman.
Inspiring Human.
She survived and thrived.I love you, Aunt Christine.
I will always cherish you.
I will miss you. pic.twitter.com/Xdt3Ot0pCy— Be A King (@BerniceKing) June 29, 2023
She defied the odds that held back too many marginalized communities – going on to become a civil rights leader and acclaimed author. No stranger to adversity, Aunt Christine used the tragedies of the assassinations of her mother and brother to fight for change in America.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) June 29, 2023
We will truly miss my Aunt, but know that she leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will outlive us all and we commit to carrying that legacy on for future generations.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) June 29, 2023
Condolences to you and your family. What a spectacular life!
— Arigon Starr (@arigonstarr) June 29, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Praying for u and ur family.
— Debra Grant (@debradagrant1) June 29, 2023
Saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Christine King Farris, the sister and only sibling of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She was a strong, regal, and wise woman. I cherish this photo taken the night Barack Obama was elected to become President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/3pbpGoKlGu
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) June 29, 2023
49 years ago today, my paternal grandmother, Alberta King, was assassinated while sitting at the organ in church
Aunt Christine passed yesterday, 1 day before the anniversary of her mother’s tragic death.
Difficult day.
📸: My grandmother and aunt at Daddy’s memorial service. pic.twitter.com/Xgv77YbVMU
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) June 30, 2023
She taught one of my classes. I’m sorry to hear this news. My condolences to her family.
— Maria E (@mdabev) June 30, 2023
As the sister of Georgia’s greatest son, Martin Luther King Jr., she fused the lessons of civil rights and education as a @SpelmanCollege professor, and passed that training borne of experience to students who now serve all over the world. I’m praying for her family. [2/4]
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) June 29, 2023
She went on to witness the long arc of American history bend from many changes, much of it pushed forward by her own brother.
As her pastor, I can say that up until the very end, she embodied hope, dignity, and a deep faith. Long live the memory of Christine King Farris. [4/4]
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) June 29, 2023
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