Naomi Ruth Barber King, the sister-in-law of the late Martin Luther King Jr. and a venerated figure in the civil rights movement, died at age 92 in Atlanta. Known as the "Butterfly Queen," King was remembered for her grace and unwavering commitment to social justice, activism that paralleled the work of her iconic family members including her late husband, Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams King, Hoodline and FOX5 Atlanta reported.
Naomi King, who was also active in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and supported the early sit-in movement, became a steadfast symbol for peace and empowerment particularly after her husband's death in 1969. She founded the A.D. King Foundation, aimed at nurturing nonviolent initiatives, and focused on uplifting youth and women in her late husband's absence, and she never faltered in her resolve even as the tides of change ebbed and flowed throughout the decades, the pain of her loss is now felt deeply by those she touched in the various sectors of her influence. A private memorial service is set for March 15 at 6 p.m., with a public celebration of life to follow on March 16 at 4 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, as per the details shared by FOX5 Atlanta.
In remembering Naomi King, the A.D. King Foundation described her as "a woman of quiet dignity, overcoming strength, and steadfast support to her husband, family, and circles of influence within and beyond Atlanta." As the family prepares to say goodbye, they have asked for donations to the A.D. King Foundation rather than flowers, honoring Naomi King's longstanding commitment to charitable causes and social betterment. The private and public services will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person, providing a chance for everyone touched by her life's work to take part in these commemorations, this gesture reflects the inclusive spirit that Naomi embodied in her lifetime.
Naomi King is survived by her children Alveda King and Derek King, along with several grandchildren who carry on the King family's legacy of civil rights and social justice; her passing marks an end of an era, and it is a testament to her impact that her loss reverberates with such profound resonance across generations, her story is a reminder of the endurance required to stand against inequality, her life a testament to the grace found in struggle and the beauty in perseverance, "She was a woman of quiet dignity, overcoming strength, and steadfast support," echoed a statement from the foundation obtained by Hoodline.
