Naomi King
ATLANTA - A memorial service and celebration of life were held over the weekend for Naomi King, the sister-in-law of Martin Luther King Jr. and a cherished matriarch of the family.
Mrs. King passed away peacefully in Atlanta on March 7 at the age of 92. The King Foundation said she will be remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a beacon of light to those in the churches and communities she served.
Willie Watkins Funeral Home hosted a private memorial service for loved ones at 6 p.m. March 15.
In addition, a celebration of life was scheduled at 4 p.m. March 16. The event was hosted at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Heritage Sanctuary located at 407 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta.
The program for the celebration featured reflections from loved ones, special musical tributes, and excerpts from a documentary honoring King, titled "The Butterfly Queen: From Tragedy to Peace." A poignant symbol, butterflies, was released in front of the King Center following the service, as noted in the release.
Both the private memorial service and the celebration of life were live-streamed and made accessible through the funeral home's website, ensuring that those unable to attend in person could still participate in honoring King's life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the A.D. Foundation.
Naomi King's passing marks the end of an era for the King family, yet her memory and contributions will be cherished by all who knew her.