Dexter Scott King, the son of civil rights icons the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, passed away at 62 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. According to a statement obtained by WBALTV, King died "peacefully in his sleep" at his home in Malibu, California. He had taken up the mantle of protecting his father's legacy and was serving as chairman of The King Center and president of the King Estate at the time of his death.
The King family, mourning the loss, prepared to honor Dexter with a memorial service, which FOX 5 Atlanta reported to be held on Feb. 10 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In this church, his father and grandfather preached. Titled "Candlelight Musical Experience: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dexter Scott," the service will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be live-broadcasted, allowing supporters and admirers to partake in the solemn remembrance worldwide. Dexter's siblings, Rev. Dr. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, are set to speak at the service, as confirmed by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Dexter King, born in Atlanta and named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, was just seven years old when his father was assassinated in 1968. He shared openly about the formal façade he felt compelled to adopt since the tragedy, as King wrote in his 2004 memoir, "Growing Up King": Despite the personal challenges and family disputes over how best to persistently uphold their parents' legacy, Dexter remained committed to the cause up until his final days.
The memorial service will not just be a somber reflection but also a celebration, featuring performances from the likes of Stevie Wonder and the Spelman College Glee Club, among others. The King family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. These contributions can be made online through their website, or by texting MLKGIVE to 44321, as detailed by FOX 5 Atlanta.
