Charismatic pastor, nephew of MLK

The Rev. Vernon C. King, a member of the King Center board in Atlanta and nephew of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died, the family announced Saturday.

The Rev. King, the youngest son of Martin Luther

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Vernon King

King Jr.’s only brother, A.D. King Sr., died Friday in Greensboro, N.C. He was 48.

The cause of death was not provided.

State Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) extended condolences to the King family on behalf of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials.

“It’s sad that the family is suffering another loss,” he said early Saturday evening.

“He was a very good minister, and he reminded me of his father, A.D., in many ways — his charisma, his mannerisms, his articulation of the Gospel and his knowledge of the Bible.”

Mr. Brooks was introduced to the Rev. King by King’s older sister, Dr. Alveda C. King, a former state legislator.

The Rev. King was a graduate of Morehouse College and had been a pastor at churches in Georgia and North Carolina. At the time of his death, he was senior pastor of St. James Baptist Church in Greensboro.

In addition to the King Center board in Atlanta, he served on the board of directors of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization Martin Luther King Jr. co-founded.

In a statement, first cousin Martin Luther King III called him “a wonderful man who served God and humanity with remarkable dedication and a beautiful spirit of humility.”

In addition to his sister, the Rev. King is survived by his wife, Robin Scott King of Washington, D.C.; two daughters, Victoria Chelsea and Venus Chantel King; his mother, Naomi B. King; and a brother, the Rev. Derek B. King Sr. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mr. Alfred King II; and a sister, Darlene King.

Funeral arrangements were pending Saturday.

From staff reports