Naomi Ruth Barber King, the revered matriarch of the Martin Luther King Jr. family and a staunch advocate for civil rights, passed away on March 7 at the age of 92 in Atlanta, as reported by the A.D. King Foundation and confirmed by FOX5 Atlanta. Naomi King, wife of the late Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams King and sister-in-law to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was a fixture in the civil rights movement and a pillar of strength for her family and communities she engaged with over many decades.
Known fondly as the "Butterfly Queen," a moniker that honored her grace and the transformative impact she made, Naomi King was instrumental in the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, the sit-in movement beginnings in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960 and she stood as a supportive force during the March on Washington in 1963 her influence spanned from the pews of the churches where her husband ministered to the broader fight for social justice and equality. Following the untimely death of her husband in 1969, Naomi King championed his ideals by establishing the A.D. King Foundation, which focuses on empowering youth and women and developing nonviolent methods for social change, as Atlanta News First reported.
The loss of such a pivotal figure in the King legacy is being felt deeply across the nation, with tributes pouring in from various sectors. "She was a woman of quiet dignity, overcoming strength, and steadfast support to her husband, family, and circles of influence within and beyond Atlanta," said the foundation in a release. As mourning begins, the family seeks no flowers, instead, they request charitable donations be directed to the A.D. King Foundation in remembrance of Naomi's lifelong dedication to service and empowerment.
The family finds solace in the belief that Naomi King has been united with her late husband A.D. King; her iconic brother-in-law, Martin Luther King Jr; her sister-in-law, Coretta Scott King; and her children, Darlene, Alfred II, and Vernon in an eternal home, this sentiment echoed in a statement obtained by FOX5 Atlanta. She leaves behind her daughter, Alveda King, her son, Derek King, and several grandchildren who continue the King family's monumental legacy, a beacon of light now passed down through generations.
