Alveda King reflects on Christine King Farris' legacy

Arm in arm, Martin Luther King III, Coretta Scott King, Christine King Farris, Alveda King Beal and Dick Gregory leader a march from the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to the Federal building in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 1985. (AP Photo/Ric Reld)

Tributes for the last surviving sibling of Martin Luther King Jr. and former Spelman College professor Dr. Christine King Farris are underway.

Farris died last month at the age of 95.

Her niece, Alveda King, spoke to WABE’s “Morning Edition” about Farris’ legacy and influence. From Farris pushing King to read at a young age and eventually becoming a state representative to her aunt’s iconic museum-worthy hat collection.



A full list of services and plans for a celebration of life ceremony can be found on the King Center’s website.

Farris will lie in state at Georgia’s State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.