Rest In Power

Christine King Farris, Last Living Sibling of MLK Jr., Dies at 95

A trailblazing civil rights activist, teacher, and a brother’s keeper in the movement

Quintessa L. Williams
Momentum
Published in
3 min readJun 29, 2023

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King Farris reading her book “My Brother Martin” in honor of MLK Day | Photo Courtesy of Talk Up APS

The eldest and last surviving sibling of activist and minister, Martin Luther King Jr., Christine King Farris, has died at the age of 95. No official cause of death has been announced as of yet. Her niece and youngest daughter of MLK, Bernice King, tweeted this Thursday afternoon:

“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.”

Her nephew, Martin Luther King III tweeted that he and his family were fortunate to have been able to spend time with his aunt in her final days.

“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.”

“Arndrea, Yolanda and I were lucky to spent time with her in her final days, and we know the Lord is…

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Momentum
Momentum

Published in Momentum

Momentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.

Quintessa L. Williams
Quintessa L. Williams

Written by Quintessa L. Williams

Afra-American Journalist 📝📚| #WEOC | Blacktivist | EIC of TDQ | Editor for Cultured & AfroSapiophile. Bylines in The Root, MadameNoire, ZORA, & Momentum.

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