Christine King Farris, the last living sibling of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died at the age of 95.

Her death was announced via her niece Rev. Bernice King, who tweeted a touching image of herself and her “beloved aunt.” She also tweeted a video sharing photos depicting their close relationship.

She captioned her tribute, “Aunt Christine is a great inspiration and source of wisdom for me. I won’t use past tense for that. She experienced profound tragedy and was sustained by love, faith in God, and hope for humanity.”

Bernice continued expressing love and admiration for her aunt, adding, “She kept teaching, kept growing, kept mothering so many. Her life was a testimony.”

Farris was born Willie Christine King on Sept. 11, 1927, in Atlanta. She was the first child of three born to the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Christine Williams King.

Rev. King and Alberta would have two sons, Martin Luther King Jr. on January 15, 1929, and Alfred Daniel Williams King on July 30, 1930.

Farris was a quiet force behind her brother’s fight in the Civil Rights Movement. She actively participated in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama in 1965, and in 1966, she supported activist James Meredith in the March Against Fear in Mississippi.

Her service to her brother’s mission continued after he was assassinated. She worked alongside his widow, Coretta Scott King, to preserve and advance his legacy.

She helped her sister-in-law build The King Center,  serving as the vice-chair and treasurer.

Her large hats and colorful suits were a staple as she would preside over the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations held at her family’s church, Ebenezer Baptist.

 

Farris was an extraordinary educator in her own right.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Farris graduated from Spelman College with a degree in economics. Her brother, King Jr., graduated from Morehouse on the same day.

She would go on to earn a master’s degree from Columbia University and taught at Spelman for more than 50 years.

While working at Spelman, she married Isaac Newton Farris in 1960.  They had two children, Angela Christine Farris Watkins and Isaac Newton Farris Jr.

 

Farris retired from Spelman in 2014 as a tenured professor and director of the learning resources center.

According to NBC News, Farris was an accomplished author.

She wrote two children’s books about her life, My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World.

In 2009, Farris wrote a memoir, Through It All: Reflections on My Life, My Family and My Faith.

 

Family members, friends, and associates have shared their memories of Farris, often referencing her resilient spirit.

Martin Luther King III tweeted a thread dedicated to his aunt.

“We will truly miss my Aunt, but know that she leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will outlive us all and we commit to carrying that legacy on for future generations.”

He added that his family had been able to share time with her leading up to her passing.

King III said his aunt knew what being a “public servant” meant. As his father, she “spent her life fighting for equality and against racism in America.”

“She defied the odds that held back too many marginalized communities – going on to become a civil rights leader and acclaimed author. No stranger to adversity, Aunt Christine used the tragedies of the assassinations of her mother and brother to fight for change in America.”

 

 

The King Center tweeted a message of mourning for the loss of Dr. Farris.

The center also shared a video of Farris during one of her last speaking appearances nearly ten years ago in Washington, D.C.

She spoke in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Rest in peace, Christine King Farris.

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