Dr. Christine King Farris To Lie In State In Georgia’s Capitol Rotunda, Only The 4th Black American To Receive Honor

Dr. Christine King Farris’ will be honored by the state of Georgia in the upcoming weeks. On July 6, her family announced that she will will lie in state at Georgia’s State Capitol Rotunda. 

Starting on July 14, 2023, King will lie at the Georgia State Capitol Rotunda from11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  A memorial service in her honor is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. 

Dr. Farris is the fourth Black American to receive such honors. Her sister-in-law Mrs. Coretta Scott King was the first, followed by Congressman John Lewis, and Atlanta Councilman C.T. Vivian.

Dr. Farris’ homegoing tribute will last three days and will reflect her life of service, education, leadership and more. Starting on July 11, the first tribute will take place at Spelman College. Tributes from Spelman College, Final Rituals from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Links, Inc.

And on July 15 and 16, Dr. Farris will be honored at the legendary Ebenezer Baptist Church. 

Born on Sept. 11, 1927, Farris was the oldest sibling of Martin Luther King Jr. She served as an educator and spent nearly six decades at Spelman College. 

In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave his condolences to the King family and shed light on Farris’ legacy. 

“Mrs. Farris was a force in her own right,” Dickens said. “A champion of literacy and education, she taught at her alma mater, Spelman College, for nearly 50 years. As the last of the King siblings, she spent much of her life advocating for equality. She once said that her brother Martin simply gave us the blueprint, but it was our duty ‘to carry it out.’

“Mrs. Farris was a beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt. On behalf of the entire city of Atlanta, I send our deepest condolences to her children, Isaac Farris, Jr. and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins. Her niece and nephews, Bernice, Martin and Dexter are also in our prayers.

“We mourn with you today and pray that God’s Grace keeps you. Rest in Heaven, Mrs. Farris.”

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