Prominent Civil Rights Leader and Renowned Author, Christine King Farris, Passes Away at 95
Christine King Farris, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and an accomplished author, has died at the age of 95. Farris, the older sister of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., dedicated her life to fighting for equality and justice. Her passing marks the end of an era and leaves a void in the fight for civil rights.
Born in Atlanta, GA, in 1927, Farris grew up in a household steeped in the principles of justice and equality. Her father, the Reverend Martin Luther King Sr., and her brothers, Martin Luther King Jr. and A.D. King, served as pastors at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, shaping Farris’s formative years. She would go on to become the longest-serving member at Ebenezer, taking on various roles such as trustee, soloist, and leader.
Farris’s pursuit of education was met with adversity, as she was denied admission to the University of Georgia due to her race. Undeterred, she continued her studies at New York’s Columbia University, earning two master’s degrees in education. Farris began her teaching career at Atlanta’s W.H. Crogman Elementary School before joining Spelman College as an educator. She later directed the Learning Resources Center at Spelman until her retirement in 2014. Farris’s impact on her students was profound, and she maintained lifelong connections with them.
In 1960, Farris married Isaac Newton Farris Sr., and together they had two children. Farris remained a steadfast supporter of her brother, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., both personally and politically. She marched alongside him in historic protests, including the 1965 March for Voting Rights in Alabama and the 1966 March Against Fear in Mississippi. Farris also played a crucial role in the founding of the King Center for Nonviolent and Social Change, serving as vice president and treasurer.
Farris’s life was marked by personal tragedies, including the assassinations of her brother and mother, as well as the drowning of her other brother. In the face of such adversity, she found the strength to move forward and became an acclaimed author. Farris penned several books, including My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Through It All: Reflections on My Life, My Family, My Faith. These works provided insight into her upbringing and the enduring legacy of her family.
In recognition of her contributions, Farris was present for the unveiling of both Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s monument on the National Mall in 2011 and the long-awaited statue of her brother at the state Capitol in 2017. Her impact on Spelman College, her alma mater, was also deeply valued, with the college’s president, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, expressing condolences and honoring Farris’s legacy.
The passing of Christine King Farris is a profound loss for the civil rights movement and for the world. As we mourn her passing, we remember her as a trailblazer, a champion for equality, and a beacon of hope. Her contributions will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us that the fight for equality and social justice must persist.
