41 Years Ago MLKs Mother Was Killed Playing Organ At Church

[orangeblossom]

I did not know this until last year.  Sad, it's not more widely known.

This is from the National Civil Rights Museum

On this day in history in 1974, Dr. King’s mother, Mrs. Alberta King, was killed while playing the organ during Sunday service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where the senior Martin L. King was pastor. A young black man emptied his gun, killing 70-year-old Mrs. King and a deacon, and injuring a church member. The gunman claimed he did it because “all Christians are his enemy.” He was sentenced to life in prison. Mrs. King’s death occurred six years after the assassination of Dr. King and less than 100 yards from where he is buried.

[ECB]

I had no idea.

[darnkatz]

That is horrific. I had no clue.

[marriedfilingjoint]

Whoa.

[ECB]

I'm honestly amazed that this isn't more well known.

[penguingrrl]

How awful. That poor family faced too much tragedy.

[nsl]

I'm stunned that I'd never heard this before.

[thejackpot]

This is news to me too. How horrific.

[janegold]

I had no idea either. Terrible.

[itsme]

Never knew that. How horrible.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Wow, I never knew that.