Civil Rights Activist Naomi Barber King Passes Away

A Beacon of Civil Rights Movement, Naomi Barber King dies at 92

Naomi Barber King, sister-in-law to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has passed away at age 92, becoming a significant loss to the civil rights movement history.

Born in Dothan, Alabama, Naomi King was the powerhouse behind the A.D. King Foundation , which she initiated in May 2008 with the vision of empowering youth and women and advancing strategies for non-violent social change. Her life was devoted to maintaining the legacy of her husband, Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams King, and advocating for civil rights alongside her brother-in-law, Martin Luther King Jr.

An Inspiring Life Journey

King’s journey started in Alabama and led her to Atlanta with her mother Bessie Barber to seek better living conditions. After a year of studying French at Spelman College, she went on to study interior design at the University of Alabama. Subsequently, she joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she met the love of her life, A.D. King, whom she married in 1950. The couple produced five children, strengthening the legacy of the King family.

A Pillar in the Civil Rights Movement

History remembers Naomi and A.D. King as supporters of Martin Luther King Jr’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. The couple stood firm with him during various memorable historic events, such as the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the most famous political rallies in U.S. history.

In 2014, Naomi King shed insight into her family’s contribution to civil rights and her relationship with her husband in her book, “A.D. and ML King: Two Brothers Who Dared to Dream.” She became affectionately known as the “Butterfly Queen” for her love of butterflies and became a symbol of courage, resilience, and grace in the face of adversity, themes that were prominent in a 2022 documentary about her life.

Naomi King: The Legacy Continues

Naomi Barber King leaves behind her daughter, Alveda King; son, Derek King; and several grandchildren. Her legacy continues to thrive through the messages of peace, solidarity, and social justice she fought for, inspiring many generations to come.

As the news of Naomi King’s demise becomes public, tributes from all over the world pour in acknowledging her significant contribution to the civil rights movement and her impact on the King family legacy. Her death is a significant loss to the history of American civil rights, but her ideals and enduring legacy continue to inspire and guide societies towards unity, equality, and peace.