The Tragedy, and the Perseverance of the King Family; What You Might Not Know about MLK’s Family History

Faithwire Staff : Jan 15, 2018
FaithWire, CBN News

In the end, the King family legacy continues to inspire millions across the nation and the world, as the courage to stand up for what’s right has distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. and his family members, forever solidifying them as important historical fixtures who have collectively and tirelessly worked to make America a better and more inclusive place.

[CBN News] Certain details about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy are well-known, though there are other elements of his family history that generally don’t receive as much attention as his famous speeches and inspiring hope-filled messages. (Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./via CBN News)

As it turns out, the King family suffered greatly for its willingness to stand up for civil rights.

Unfortunately, King's 1968 death wasn't the only tragedy to strike the family, as the civil rights leader's mother, Alberta King, was killed a few years later. Mrs. King, 70, was fatally shot during a Sunday church service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20, 1974; church deacon Edward Boykin was also killed during the assault.

King and Boykin were murdered by Marcus Wayne Chenault Jr., who reportedly later said he had open-fired inside the church due to his disdain for the Christian faith after "his god" instructed him to do so, as The New York Times noted in a 1995 news report detailing Chenault's own death while in prison.

"Alberta King, 70, was fatally struck at the church's new organ as she was playing ‘The Lord's Prayer,'" the story read, noting that the intended target was Martin Luther King Sr., who wasn't present at the time. "Mr. Boykin was standing nearby when he was shot. One woman among the 400 worshippers was wounded."

And that latter tragedy was also preceded by the 1969 death of Martin Luther King Jr.'s brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King, another fixture in the civil rights movement who also worked in ministry like his brother and father. Known as "A.D." for short, Alfred King was found deceased in the family's swimming pool just 15 months after his brother's assassination. (Photo: The family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his funeral procession. They are, from left, daughter Yolanda; brother A.D. King; daughter Bernice; widow Coretta Scott King; the Rev. Ralph Abernathy; sons Dexter and Martin Luther King III/via SeattleTimes.com)

A.D. King had reportedly struggled to understand and cope with his brother's death, and pledged before his death to explore the details behind it, according to The Seattle Times.

His untimely death led some family members, including his wife, Naomi King, to express their belief that he was murdered rather than experiencing an accidental drowning, as has been speculated.

"Absolutely, he was murdered. He was an excellent swimmer. There was no water in his lungs. He was in the fetal position," she said, according to The Seattle Times. "He had a bruised forehead. Rings around his neck. And he was in his underwear. He was murdered."

That wasn't the end of the family's grief, though...

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