Deja News: The 1974 funeral of Alberta King

Metro Atlanta

Deja News: The 1974 funeral of Alberta King

PHOTOS: The mother of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot and killed June 30, 1974, as she played the organ during a service at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

July 1974 -- Martin Luther King Sr. grieves during the funeral service of his wife, Alberta Williams King. Mrs. King, 69, was shot to death by 23-year-old Marcus Wayne Chenault as she played the organ during a service at Ebenezer Baptist Church near downtown Atlanta. BILL MAHAN / AJC FILE

Mourners view the body of Alberta Williams King during the memorial service at Spelman College Chapel. DWIGHT ROSS JR. / AJC FILE

January 1970 -- Alberta Williams King (right) with husband Martin Luther King Sr., during services at Ebenezer Baptist Church. CHUCK VOLLERTSEN / AJC FILE

Members of the King family attend the funeral for Alberta King at Ebenezer Baptist Church on July 3, 1974: Mrs. Coretta Scott King (third from left) with her children; Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. (right) with Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Farris. (Dwight Ross Jr./AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP338-047d)

Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Betty Ford attend the funeral for Alberta King on July 3, 1974, at Ebenezer Baptist Church. (Billy Downs/AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP443-116p)

A crowd gathers early on the sidewalk outside Ebenezer Baptist Church before the funeral service for Alberta King on July 3, 1974. (Bill Wilson/AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP338-047c)

A crowd gathers early on the sidewalk outside Ebenezer Baptist Church before the funeral service for Alberta King on July 3, 1974. (Bill Mahan/AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP338-047b)

Coretta Scott King mourns with the family during the funeral service of Alberta Williams King at Spelman College. BILL WILSON / AJC FILE

A view from balcony of the chapel at Spelman College as the choir sings at the memorial service for Alberta King on July 3, 1974. (Dwight Ross Jr./AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP443-116k)

Family members of Alberta Williams King sit solemnly during the memorial service at Spelman College Chapel. DWIGHT ROSS JR. / AJC FILE

June 30, 1974 -- Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson visits Ebenezer Baptist Church the day of the assassination of Alberta Williams King. BILL MAHAN / AJC FILE

Mayor Maynard Jackson hugs friends and family of Alberta King on June 30, 1974, after learning of her assassination. (Bud Skinner/AJC Archive at GSU Library AJCP443-116j)

Investigators search the crime scene at Ebenezer Baptist Church after the shooting. KIng and a church deacon were fatally wounded. Another congregant was seriously wounded but survived. BILL MAHAN / AJC FILE

Christine King Farris delivers a statement to the press after the assassination of her mother. BUD SKINNER / AJC FILE

Sept. 1972 -- Alberta King (left) wipes a tear from her eye as she sits with her husband, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., during a program honoring her at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was pastor. Mrs. King served as director and organist for the M. L. King Choir and the Hymn Choir for 40 years. She was honored with a 'This is Your Life' testimonial on her retirement from these church positions, but she continued working at Ebenezer Baptist. CHARLES PUGH / AJC FILE

1984 -- Original caption: "A man who felt the hand of God': Adrian Searcy, 8-year-old son of King's aide, the Rev. Michael Searcy, knew Daddy King as a grandfather." The Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. died 10 years after his wife was killed. JOHN SPINK / AJC FILE

1/16

Credit: AJC Photo Archives

July 1974 -- Martin Luther King Sr. grieves during the funeral service of his wife, Alberta Williams King. Mrs. King, 69, was shot to death by 23-year-old Marcus Wayne Chenault as she played the organ during a service at Ebenezer Baptist Church near downtown Atlanta. BILL MAHAN / AJC FILE

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

Savannah Christmas Train Villages

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

aajc 121725 class 3a-a private

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel