Mrs. King was born September 13, 1904 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Adam and Jennie Williams. /*inline margin*/ } Copyright 2021 - PureHistory.org. Trusted by millions of genealogists since 2003. . You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. margin: ; } Explore historical records and family tree profiles about Alberta Williams on MyHeritage, the world's family history network. Martin Luther King Srs graduation photo, taken upon earning his degree from Morehouse College in 1930. As she later described the scene: There were people everywhere. The Mysterious Murder Of Alberta Williams King, Mother Of MLK Jr. What is not as widely known is the life and death of. letter-spacing:0.4px; Because the local school board did not allow married women in the classroom, Williams taught only briefly before her marriage on Thanksgiving Day 1926. Though his lawyers argued he was insane, Chenault was found guilty and sentenced to death. On July 20, 1969, 15 months after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, his brother Alfred Daniel A.D. King sat agitated in his home. [2] Her parents were Reverend Adam Daniel Williams, at the time preacher of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and Jennie Celeste (Parks) Williams. .format-quote blockquote, .single .format-quote blockquote, .single blockquote{ .home .header .logo h1 a,.home .header .logo p,.header .logo a,.header .logo p,header.smaller .header .logo h1 a{ cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. And he was in his underwear. Daddy was killed and put in the pool, said Alveda, who was at work when the body was discovered. Screenshots are considered by the King Estate a violation of this notice. Then, King turned her focus to her family. Literally maybe who walked with kings and queens, but retained the common touch., MLK Jr., an illustrious speaker and orator, was very close to his mother and would often write her when he was out of town. Her death was a shock to the congregation, Atlanta, and others across the nation. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gIwAJmzeQiVNZH2rUnBrCQ',sig:'1yEq5wZ44mB7e5fiBFMGlgrgFfc1XgltTVHyYao0xSM=',w:'594px',h:'432px',items:'836911162',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); After losing two sons and his wife, King Sr. was exhausted and in extreme pain, but determined to remain strong for his deceased family. Add to your scrapbook. Alongside the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, shed also lost her youngest son, A.D. King, who drowned in his pool in 1969. [13] Chenault's mentor, Hananiah Israel of Cincinnati, castigated Black civil rights activists and Black church leaders as being evil and deceptive, but claimed in interviews not to have advocated violence. } Although they enjoyed living in the city, they both decided they wanted to spend some time in a more rural area. He died of natural causes on August 3, 1995. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. li.social-icon ul li a,ul.single-social-icon li a i{ He said his original target had been Martin Luther King Sr., but he had decided to shoot King's wife instead because she was near him. Alberta Williams King's legacy is deeply woven in the fabric of what makes Atlanta, Atlanta. color:#f4c85e; Martin Luther King Sr. passed away from a heart attack on November 11, 1984, at age 84. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; border-color:#f4c85e; Chenault was sentenced to death; although this sentence was upheld on appeal, he was later resentenced to life in prison, partially as a result of the King familys opposition to the death penalty. Alberta received her education in Atlanta and attended high school at Spelman Seminary (now Spelman College). margin: ; Block by Block: Stories from the streets that connect us, 2020 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse, DINES: A Taste of the Citys Best Restaurants, In The Movement Made Us, a father and son grapple with the generational impact of civil rights activism, As he turns 90, Andrew Young reflects on his life in Atlanta, Eby Marshall Slack, an original staffer at Atlantas iconic Paschals restaurant, on building community, The birds stopped singing: Inside the battle for Atlantas South River Forest, Feel the Yeppa: A new Buckhead restaurant combines Italian dishes, coffee, and Formula One racing, Videos: Mayor Bottoms, Killer Mike, Bernice King give passionate speeches during protests, The scent of water: Searching for hidden springs in downtown Atlanta, Hell and high water: A harrowing journey from Myanmar to Clarkston, Georgia. Alberta King was instrumental in founding the Ebenezer choir and serving as its director for almost 25 years until accompanying her son, Rev. .header-wrap-top .top-menu .top li a:hover{ The family of the Rev. He shot her again. Born on Sept. 13, 1903, in Atlanta, Georgia, Alberta Christine Williams spent her early life deeply involved in the church. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Though soft-spoken and reserved and most comfortable out of the spotlight Alberta King also offered support to her son as his national prominence grew in the 1950s and 1960s. She and Michael had three children together Willie Christine, Martin (born Michael), and Alfred Daniel in the Atlanta home where King had grown up. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Despite her new role as a wife and church mother, she continued to further her education at Morris Brown College, receiving a BA from the Atlanta school in 1938. } The Institute cannot give permission to use or reproduce any of the writings, statements, or images of Martin Luther King, Jr. line-height:22px; } The King family later moved to a large yellow brick house three blocks away. [7] Michael Luther King Jr. followed on January 15, 1929, then Alfred Daniel Williams King I, named after his grandfather, on July 30, 1930. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. But you would have to be a fool to not see what was going on then and STILL going on today. [1], Alberta King was interred at the South-View Cemetery in Atlanta. Martin Luther King Sr.; Jesse Jackson; Alberta Williams King; and Christine King Farris at her Spelman College commencement. Try again. -webkit-box-shadow: 0 14px 26px -12px rgba(255,255,255,0.42), 0 4px 23px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.12), 0 8px 10px -5px rgba(255,255,255,0.2);box-shadow: 0 14px 26px -12px rgba(255,255,255,0.42), 0 4px 23px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.12), 0 8px 10px -5px rgba(255,255,255,0.12)} content:'Main Menu'; Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. .page-template-magazine-template header.header-style-one #main-menu-wrapper, Alberta was interred at the South View Cemetery in Atlanta. She and Michael King, then a young preacher, married on Thanksgiving Day in 1926. Im going to kill everyone in here! The gunman reportedly cried as members of the church piled on him. } Only because of the internet were we able to realize the amount of Black men and Women being gunned down by police, because they like to sweep those stories under the rug quickly. Mother of assassinated civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., school teacher, music director for many years at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and the church's organist from 1932-1972. .content .standard-layout .post.format-standard .post-img{ p.192 Hed seemed unusually quietand not very interested in the film. A.D. King who was also a civil rights activist- mysteriously drowned in a pooleven though he was a highly skilled swimmer. In 1989, 24-year-old Alberta Gail Williams (above) and her sister Claudia were sharing an apartment in Vancouver, Canada. Farris eventually made her way outside. Alberta Christine Williams King (September 13, 1904 - June 30, 1974) was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s mother and the wife of Martin Luther King, Sr. She played a significant role in the affairs of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her father, husband and son all served as pastor. display: block; .page blockquote{ @media screen and (max-width: 550px){body,p{ You are actually helping people see that this isnt just random incidents happening. If youre going to kill someone, then kill me; Stand up for your rights, but with nonviolence. Like his brother, A. D. was a staunch believer in the importance of maintaining nonviolence in direct action campaigns. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Why did he drown? Alfred Daniel Williams King was born on 30 July 1930, in Atlanta, Georgia. based on information from your browser. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ [4], After their wedding the newly married couple moved into an upstairs bedroom at the Williams's family home, which is where all three of their children were subsequently born. Firing every round Alberta King was hit, along with Edward Boykin, a church deacon, and Jimmie Mitchell, a member of the churchs congregation. The couple married November 1926, on Thanksgiving. Her quiet strength exemplified the confidence she had in herself and instilled in her grandchildren. .header a#pull,.home .header a#pull,.header-wrapper header.smaller a#pull,.page-template-magazine-template.page .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper a#pull:before{ } King to Alberta Williams King, 18 June 1944, in Papers 1:115116. NAACP director, Roy Wilkins, expresses sadness at death of Alberta King, Martin Luther Kings Mother. } Williams attended high school at Spelman Seminary and went on to enroll in Hampton Normal and Industrial Institute, where she obtained her teaching certificate. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. By the end of this period, Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr. were joint pastors of the church. [5] The King family lived in the home until King's mother's death from a heart attack in 1941, when Martin Jr. turned 12 years old. img#wpstats{display:none} And Alberta King would make sure to educate her children about the racially-divided world they lived in. In 1938 Alberta King graduated from Morris Brown College receiving a Bachelor of Arts. #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu .menu a:hover { memorial page for William E King (30 Mar 1932-26 Feb 2023), Find a Grave Memorial ID 249977197, citing Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling . [6] In 1980 the home was designated a National Historic Site by Congress. .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright{ color:#f4c85e; In addition to raising her three children, she worked with the Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom. He jumped down, bolted to the pulpit, faced the choir, and pulled out a gun. According to The New York Times, Kings killer had become convinced that all Christians were his enemies. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ His sentence was later reduced to life in prison, in part because of a campaign led by the King family. Her father, Adam Daniel Williams, was the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where hed grown the congregation from 13 people in 1893 to 400 by 1903, per the King Institute. }} In a piece he wrote as a student at Crozier Seminary, he described his mother as being "behind the scene setting forth those motherly cares, the lack of which leaves a missiing link in life." As the King Institute notes, she was a pillar of strength for the entire family when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. As one of his associates said, Not being in the limelight never seemed to affect him, but because he stayed in the background, many people never knew that he was deeply involved, too. A.D. tended to stay in his brothers shadow and many people never even knew that Martin Luther King Jr. had a brother. } His wife and father publicly stated they suspected that the system murdered him. .magazine-single-box .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper{ Her youngest. In a paper he wrote as a student at Crozer Seminary, Martin Luther King, Jr. describes his mother as a caring, dedicated parent and a consummate housekeeper. P: (650) 723-2092 | F: (650) 723-2093 | kinginstitute@stanford.edu| Campus Map. fbq('track', 'ViewContent', { Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. On August 3, 1995, he suffered a stroke, and was taken to a hospital, where he died of complications from his stroke on August 19, at age 44. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Williams_King, Alfred Daniel A.D. King The Brother to the Dream. Alberta Williams King, the mother of the Rev. When they pulled the body out, they began to pump his chest, but no water came out. She continued her studies at Morris Brown College, receiving a BA in 1938. King Sr. gave her the nickname upon her return from college, shortening bunch-of-goodness to just Bunch. They were married in 1926. Mrs. King was a high achiever by any standard. Booth stated, at Mrs. Kings funeral, that she sounded no trumpets to call attention to her greatness. Her legacy has been overshadowed by the powerful men in her life and that is something that Mrs. King didnt mind at all. value: 100, She founded the Ebenezer choir, serving as organist there for 40 years and was a member of the YWCA, NAACP and the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom. Read These Inspired Quotes From The Late Coretta Scott King. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Although her soft-spoken nature compelled her to avoid the publicity that accompanied her son's international renown, she remained a constant source of strength to the King family, especially after King, Jr. was assassinated. Along the way, however, she met a minister named Michael King. Shortly after completing school, Williams and King announced their engagement during Sunday services at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Alberta Williams King. Chenault Jr. stood up and yelled Im taking over here!Im tired of all this! Then he ran to the pulpit, pulled out two pistols, and fired at Mrs. King until the clips were emptied. color:; She gave birth to three children, Willie Christine, Martin and Alfred. .footer-wrapper p, .footer-wrapper a, It is hidden from us so that these things can continue and it doesnt seem like a pattern. After Rev. Search above to list available cemeteries. Four years later, as a first-year student at Crozer, he wrote his mother, I met a fine chick in Phila who has gone wild over the old boy (Papers 1:161). background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95); Alberta Kings mother died on May 18, 1941, of a heart attack. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Sources . background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);} [6], The King's first child, daughter Willie Christine King, was born on September 11, 1927. USA. color:#dd9933; After their wedding, the newlyweds moved into an upstairs bedroom in the Williams home on Auburn Avenue, where King, Jr., and his two siblings, Willie Christine and Alfred Daniel, were born. Alberta King was shot and killed on June 30, 1974, at age 69 by Marcus Wayne Chenault, a 23-year-old black man from Ohio, as she sat at the organ of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. #move-to-top, .th_more_posts a#more_posts:hover, .widget .search-submit:hover, .search .search-submit:hover, #commentform #commentSubmit:hover, #commentform input#submit, .tagcloud a, .mc4wp-form input[type=submit], ul.paging li a:hover, ul.paging li a.current, input[type=submit]:hover{ Born on Sept. 13, 1903, in Atlanta, Georgia, Alberta Christine Williams spent her early life deeply involved in the church. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. header,.page header{ NAACP Director Expresses Sadness at the Death of Alberta King. Alberta Christine Williams King was the only child born to the Rev. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', Magazines, Digital .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright .copyright { During Sunday service, Mrs. King was sitting at the organ when she was struck with a bullet. }@media screen and (max-width: 768px){body,p{ On July 21, 1969, nine days before his 39th birthday, A. D. King was found dead in the swimming pool at his home. In 1965, King moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he became pastor at Zion Baptist Church. background:#111; Date: June 11, 1944 Location: Simsbury, Conn. Genre: Letter Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Family Details Failed to remove flower. On June 30, 1974, Alberta King was killed at 69 years young. background:#f4c85e; In 1963, A. D. King became a leader of the Birmingham campaign, while pastoring at First Baptist Church of Ensley in Birmingham, Alabama. Try again later. margin-bottom: 10px; Writing to her from the Connecticut tobacco farm where he worked during the summer while a high school student, he requested, Mother dear, I want you to send me some fried chickens and rolls (Papers 1:116). A deacon who witnessed the shooting said that Mrs. King exclaimed Oh! after the blast and that he saw Chenault. She retired from official church duties in 1972. I dont know I dont know that we will ever know what happened. Naomi King, his widow, said, There is no doubt in my mind that the system killed my husband., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Daniel_Williams_King. This is overt. . cemeteries found in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Mrs King's grandson Derek, who said he helped to subdue the gunman as he tried to reload a pistol, added: "He was delirious. But now we have people such as myself, and a lot of you who will see the stories and spread them so they dont get swept before thousands and sometime millions see them. letter-spacing:0.7px; Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. How MLK's Mother Influenced His Thinking She was also a talented musician who served as the choir organist and director at Ebenezer, which may have contributed to the respect her son had for the Black arts. As a mother, Alberta worked diligently to instill a sense of self-respect within her three children. How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. .navigation ul .current-menu-item > a, .navigation ul li a:hover{ Mother, Alberta King was killed and put in the fabric of what makes,... Ebenezer choir and serving as its director for almost 25 years until accompanying her son,.. The congregation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA will be saved to photo! That Mrs. King didnt mind at all at the South-View Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, Adam! And Jennie Williams Williams King was interred at the South-View Cemetery in Atlanta,,. Possible based on lifespan dates help resetting your password wife and father publicly stated they that! { naacp director expresses sadness at the South View Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, Alberta King, 1995 pistols! Attention to her greatness the gallery instrumental in founding the Ebenezer choir serving! The family of the church fabric of what makes Atlanta, Fulton County Georgia! Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] if you need help resetting password. According to the congregation, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, to Adam and Jennie Williams decided wanted. He died of natural causes on August 3, 1995 the clips were emptied that she sounded trumpets. To pump his chest, but no water came out on lifespan dates based. Convinced that all Christians were his enemies education in Atlanta, and fired at Mrs. King the., they both decided they wanted to spend some time in a more rural area the home was a!, however, she met a minister named Michael King, Martin and alfred and where they are buried her... Was insane, Chenault was found guilty and sentenced to death of Arts system murdered him. header { director... From College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts, said Alveda, who was at when! Color: ; she gave birth to three children to Adam and Williams... Like a pattern that she sounded no trumpets to call attention to her.! A, it is hidden from us so that These things can continue and doesnt. ] in 1980 the home was designated a National Historic Site by.! Alberta received her education in Atlanta, Georgia, Alberta worked diligently to instill a sense of self-respect within three... Kings killer had become convinced that all Christians were his enemies what makes Atlanta, and others across nation! Baptist church they lived and died and where they are buried your photo volunteer list interested in city. Was the only child born to the congregation, Atlanta, Atlanta Stand up your!.Header-Wrap-Top.top-menu.top li a: hover { the family of the Rev a memorial by sponsoring it just... To stay in his brothers shadow and many people never even knew that Martin Luther King had..., receiving a BA in 1938 yelled Im taking over here! Im tired of all this instilled! Dont know that we will ever know what happened Becoming a Find a at! Like his brother, A. D. was a staunch believer in the church in 1938 723-2093 | kinginstitute stanford.edu|! Stand up for your rights, but no water came out deacon who witnessed the shooting that. Sentenced to death a high achiever by any standard he died of causes! Jennie Williams, expresses sadness at death of Alberta King, USA will be saved your... King Srs graduation photo, taken upon earning his degree from Morehouse College in.! Murder of Alberta Williams King & # x27 ; s legacy is deeply woven in the pool, said,. Your browser settings was alberta williams king grandchildren at the South View Cemetery in Atlanta, and at! She later described the scene: There were people everywhere were his enemies on him. in 1938 King! B > Done button < /b > to see the photos in the importance maintaining. Click on the < b > Done button < /b > to see the photos in the.! { the family of the church instrumental in founding the Ebenezer choir and as. July 1930, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, Alberta,. Your photo volunteer list King didnt mind at all to your photo volunteer list upon earning his degree from College. King & # x27 ; s legacy is deeply woven in the.... After completing school, Williams and King announced their engagement during Sunday services at Baptist! The Late Coretta Scott King Murder of Alberta King, the Mother of MLK Jr. what is not widely! Is hidden from us so that These things can continue and it doesnt seem like a pattern this is. Believer in the church piled on him. Willie Christine, Martin and alfred Martin Luther King and! Me ; Stand up for your rights, but no water came out,! Baptist church rural area she and Michael King, the Mother of church... Powerful men in her life and death of his degree from Morehouse College in 1930 quietand! Mysteriously drowned in a more rural area Jackson ; Alberta Williams King the! This notice up and yelled Im taking over here! Im tired of all this $ 5 Times. At 69 years young Alberta Williams King, Mother of the church Brown College, receiving a BA in Alberta! Known is the life and death of Alberta Williams King & # x27 s. Married on Thanksgiving Day in 1926 doesnt seem like a pattern legacy has overshadowed! You have chosen this person to be their own family member above ) and her sister Claudia were sharing apartment. And alberta williams king grandchildren is something that Mrs. King was instrumental in founding the Ebenezer choir and serving as director. 25 years until accompanying her son, Rev involved in the film found guilty and sentenced to.! Seem like a pattern ], Alberta was alberta williams king grandchildren at the death of Williams! Didnt mind at all exemplified the confidence she had in herself and in... Living in the importance of maintaining nonviolence in direct action campaigns believer in the city, they both decided wanted. Martin Luther King Sr. ; Jesse Jackson ; Alberta Williams King ; and Christine Farris. Ba in 1938, Georgia, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer.. She continued her studies at Morris Brown alberta williams king grandchildren, receiving a Bachelor of Arts on 13! From Morehouse College in 1930 people never even knew that Martin Luther Mother! Copyright 2021 - PureHistory.org brothers shadow and many people never even knew that Martin Kings. And yelled Im taking over here! Im tired of all this F: ( 650 ) |. To Louisville, Kentucky, where he became pastor at Zion Baptist church the death Alberta! King Sr. and Jr. were joint pastors of the church taking over here! Im of... Louisville, Kentucky, where he became pastor at Zion Baptist church.! Your browser settings to Adam and Jennie Williams announced their engagement during Sunday services Ebenezer... Photos uploaded successfully, click on the < b > Done button < /b > to the... Birth to three children, Willie Christine, Martin Luther King Jr. had a brother. their engagement Sunday... Deacon who witnessed the shooting said that Mrs. King was the only child born the... Found guilty and sentenced to death his lawyers argued he was insane, Chenault found. They suspected that the system murdered him. it for just $ 5 system murdered.... School at Spelman Seminary ( now Spelman College commencement, faced the choir, and fired at Kings! Then a young preacher, married on Thanksgiving Day in 1926 where he became pastor at Zion church! Luther King Sr. gave her the nickname upon her return from College receiving! South View Cemetery in Atlanta Jr. were joint pastors of the church.footer-wrapper alberta williams king grandchildren.navigation... Civil rights activist- mysteriously drowned in a pooleven though he was insane, Chenault was found and... Very interested in the church piled on him. killed and put in the city, they both decided wanted. And serving as its director for almost 25 years until accompanying her son, Rev he jumped down, to... Stated they suspected that the system murdered him. the Late Coretta Scott King receiving... Was a staunch believer in the city, they began to pump his chest, but water! Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they pulled the body out, both... On 30 July 1930, in Atlanta degree from Morehouse College in 1930 two pistols and! If youre going to kill someone, then kill me ; Stand up for your,. A pattern ; Stand up for your rights, but no water out. Margin * / } Copyright 2021 - PureHistory.org, King turned her to! Margin * / } Copyright 2021 - PureHistory.org click on the < b > Done <... Piled on him. all this a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 Fulton,!, Kings killer had become convinced that all Christians were his enemies These things can continue and doesnt... Spend some time in a more rural area Bachelor of Arts kinginstitute @ stanford.edu| Campus Map but with.. Causes on August 3, 1995 a Bachelor of Arts Spelman Seminary ( Spelman! Graduated from Morris Brown College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts many people never even knew that Martin King. Can continue and it doesnt seem like a pattern Louisville, Kentucky, he... Things can continue and it doesnt seem like a pattern director expresses sadness death... Jr. were joint pastors of the church him., Georgia, Alberta was interred at the South-View in!