On June 30, 1974 (45 years ago) and also six years after Mrs. Alberta Christine “Mama King” Williams King lost her son Martin L. King Jr., to an assassin’s bullet, she was also killed by bullets as she played the organ at the historic, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia one Sunday morning along with Deacon Edward Boykin being killed and church member Jimmie Mitchell being wounded from this tragic moment.
But, Mama King’s one and only daughter, Christine King Farris who is 91 years old and still looking good, still attending Ebenezer was there that fateful day and saw her mother murdered – a day she will never ever forget. She said it felt like she was watching a scene from a movie that day.
What a tragic day that was when a young 23 year-old black boy, Marcus Chenault stood up in church and started firing his guns. Mrs. King’s other son, Rev. Alfred Daniel “A.D.” King did not witness his mother’s death because he had already met his tragic death by {drowning accidentally} in a swimming pool in 1969; 15 months after his brother, Dr. King’s assassination.
I was at Bethel Baptist Church in Alcoa (near Knoxville), Tennessee when my sister, Toni Sudderth, was ushering that day. She happen to answer the church’s telephone when a voice said the shocking words that Mrs. Alberta King has been shot and killed in Atlanta. What another tragic day for the King family and us!!!
On her 45th year of leaving us, an annual scholarship concert was held to give scholarships to students who will be attending various colleges. It was uplifting to see the young people walking proudly to receive their scholarships knowing this was a way of honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Alberta King.
Mrs. King was married to Martin L. King Sr., so the Kings have been a part of Ebenezer for many generations. Mrs. King’s service to God, her family and community have been astounding. She left her mark in so many ways and had to endure so much.
Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. (Coretta); Isaac Newton Farris, Sr. (Christine); Rev. Alfred Daniel “A.D.”King (Naomi) and Rev. Martin L. King, Sr. (Alberta)
“Fast Forward” to June 30, 2019 and Mrs. Alberta King is being remembered in multiple ways.
I had the special privilege of being part of the services and events all day in her honor. For my morning worship, I attended my church, Antioch Baptist Church North, where Pastor Kenneth L. Alexander who presided after Rev. Dr. Cameron M. Alexander passed away which broke my heart deeply on December 30, 2018. He and Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., both civil rights leaders made huge and significant changes worldwide and we will never forget these two great men!!
Our choir under the direction of Otis Byrd was invited to participate in a Gospel Concert with Ebenezer Baptist Church & The Martin Luther King, Sr. Choir, and Voices of Hope Mass Choir of Ray of Hope Christian Church praising the Lord through songs. The 45th Annual Scholarship Concert was done in memory of Mrs. Alberta “Mama King” King and the theme was “Open Your Mouth and Say Something”.
All the choirs were so energetic and spiritual filled they had us standing on our feet praising the Lord. It was a truly heartfelt day.
After the service, we fellowshipped, had refreshments, and many of us stayed until 7:00 p.m.
We were having so much fun with other church members. I mentioned to them that “I’m pretty sure Dr. Rev. King Jr., and Dr. Rev. Alexander are smiling big and proudly because their churches are still fellowshipping and having a good time in the name of Jesus!!! And I know Mrs. King is very happy too that we remembered her through love and commitment.
Before the concert started, another event had taken place in which I was a part. It was because Mrs. Alberta King, the mother of Dr. King; Mrs. Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. King; and Ms. Christine still wears her beautiful hats, as well as, Mrs. Naomi King, the wife of Rev. Alfred Daniel “A.D.” King.
The Ebenezer Women Ministry had a “Hat Parade”. I was asked to model Mrs. Carita Johnson’s hats known as “Custom Hats by Jean-Caree” and it was fun wearing hats that all the women at the Parade enjoyed looking at.
As the 45th Anniversary of Mrs. Alberta Christine Williams King came to a close, we realized that we will always remember Mrs. King for being there for her husband, her three children, grandchildren, church, choir, community, friends and even strangers. This brings the question, “Who have you helped today and what will your legacy be?”
Please share to help keep Dr. King’s life and legacy (click on link) alive. Thank You!!!!
Splash Magazines
DR. PATRICIA BENNETT – July 16, 2019 – Via EMAIL – I read the article and it was much needed. I was a grad student at Atlanta Univ at the time. Back in the stacks studying. NJ family was worried that I might have been at Ebenezer that morning. The article is a great reminder of the hate that was in this country at that time and a lot still exists today. When you are blatantly murdered in broad daylight on a Sunday morning at the organ playing the Lord’s prayer there is nothing more evil than that!! I lived it. The millennial need to read your article. And yes, I remember the drowning of Rev A.D. King!!
Ms. Archie – July 15, 2019 – Your article was really good, you brought up a lot of good history
Great article! I was enlightened by your article and the history you shared about the King family. Mrs. King Farris looks absolutely fabulous. I love your work! Keep up the awesomeness!
Outstanding job! May God continue to bless you and your ministries, gifts and talents. The history and knowledge you share is SO VERY important and needed. Thank you for walking so beautifully on the path of taking us down memory lane and showing our generation and this new one; the opportunities to keep hope alive and the value of investing in our Youth. It is amazing to learn from you. We’re grateful for you and the wonderful forum of Splash Magazine.
Such a great article. I have the pleasure of being a friend of Martin L King III and listening to his stories about the lives in his family that was taken and hear the pain in his voice but he ended with sharing with me he will not let hate seek to control his mind or heart.
He shared with me more about God’s love and that was the only source of comfort that he could grab a hold to. Your article and pictures and overall subject matter will enlighten those that have forgotten about this or never knew about this.
Thank you for your thorough due diligence and sharing some history that should never be forgotten. Many have paid with their lives for us to have many privileges that we take for granted today. I will never forget. God is still in control. May God continue to bless you and the work you do and the King Family. Respectfully Yours, Brian K. Patterson
Brian, I have not commented on others great COMMENTS but I had to comment on yours and I thank you for your COMMENT and everyone else who took the time to comment!!! Your comments were deep deep deep!!! Last year while I was in Memphis for Martin L. King Jr’s 50th Anniversary of being gunned down there, I never forgot what his daughter Bernice said. “No one can image what we all have gone through and we were kids when all these tragedies happen”. I also remember her questioning in her head about her Uncle A.D. King {{(accidental}} drowning???? The King family is deep deep but I will always honor them when I can. The Lord actually had me to write this because I have never finished a Splash Magazine article in 2 days and I was so so moved by all that happen on Mrs. Alberta King’s 45th Anniversary at Ebenezer Church!!!! ITS GOOD TO KNOW THE LORD!!!
MATTHEW – July 12, 2019 – Via Email – The article was top notched and I loved how you illustrated it by being very informative. What a wonderful set up with a story, then pictures to follow. Also, Kudos to “Mama King” what all she had to go through.
JENNIFER ALLEN – July 12, 2019 – Visa Email – Thank you very much for writing this article. I’m so proud of you!
CAROLYN SIMS – July 12, 2019 – Via Email – Love it great job!
DR. MICHAEL O. UEAL Jr. – July 12, 2019 – Via Email- Renee, I’m glad to see you still out there turning out great historical information.
CARITA JOHNSON – July 9, 2019 – Via Email – It was really nice, you put a lot of history in the article.
TIRAZAH HUFF – July 5, 2019 – Via Text – Outstanding article. I was truly blessed in reading the article. It was very informative and uplifting.
MINISTER BREEDLOVE – July 4, 2019 – Via Text – PRAISE THE LORD HALLELUJAH…HOWWW ARE UUU. I PRAY ALL…IS WELL. I LOVED THE ARTICLE TOO.
LYDIA RAGLIN WILLIAMS – July 5, 2019 – Via Text – Awesome article Renee!! Thanks for the shout out as the “photographer”! Lol!! Kudos!
LUCRETIA DURHAM – July 4, 2019 – VIA FACEBOOK – Looking gorgeous everyone! I love ? my hats too!!!
DIANNE WILLIAMS – July 5, 2019 – Via Email – This is great–thanks Renee!