LISTEN: Tributes to Christine King Farris included her lying in state in the Georgia Capitol rotunda on Friday. GPB's Donna Lowry reports.

A service in honor of Dr. Christine King Farris was held in the rotunda of the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023. Only four African Americans have lain in state there.

A service in honor of Dr. Christine King Farris was held in the rotunda of the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023. Only four African Americans have lain in state there.

A portrait of Dr. Christine King Farris is displayed at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

A portrait of Dr. Christine King Farris is displayed at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Credit: Donna Lowry / GPB News

Sen. Raphael Warnock (left), state lawmakers and Atlanta City Council members paid tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (left), state lawmakers and Atlanta City Council members paid tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Credit: Donna Lowry / GPB News

Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp (left) paid tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp (left) paid tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Credit: Donna Lowry / GPB News

Vernon Jones (center) and Gov. Brian Kemp (right) are pictured at a tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Vernon Jones (center) and Gov. Brian Kemp (right) are pictured at a tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Credit: Donna Lowry / GPB News

Family members including Isaac Newton Farris (son), Farris Watkins (granddaughter) and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins (daughter, pictured) attended the tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Family members including Isaac Newton Farris (son), Farris Watkins (granddaughter) and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins (daughter, pictured) attended the tribute to Dr. Christine King Farris at the Georgia Capitol on July 14, 2023.

Credit: Donna Lowry / GPB News

A celebration of life service at Ebenezer Baptist Church wrapped five days of memorial events in remembrance of Dr. Christine King Farris, the older sister and last living sibling of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

She died on June 29 at 95 years old.

The tributes included her lying in state in the Georgia Capitol rotunda on Friday.

It is an honor denied to her younger brother after his assassination in 1968 by then-Gov. Lester Maddox.

"Fifty-five years later, a Republican governor and a Black Democratic leader came together to crystalize which was unity because of the King family — and now she lies in state," Georgia House Minority Leader James Beverly (D-Macon) told those gathered at the Capitol.

Beverly said that when he called Gov. Brian Kemp to request the special honor, the governor immediately agreed.

"It's historic; only four African Americans have lain in state," said Calvin Smyre, former dean of the Georgia House who attended the Capitol service. "She was a gracious lady. She served well. She had a legacy."

Kemp also spoke at the memorial.

"In many ways, her passing represents the end of an incredibly significant chapter of our shared history as a state and a nation," he said. "I'm sure as a teacher and an author, she would be quick to remind us that the ending of a chapter is not the end of a story, but rather the beginning of the next chapter."

Further proof of the reach across political aisles: The King family asked former state Rep. Vernon Jones to officiate the ceremony. In 2021, while serving in the state House, Jones switched from a Democratic to a Republican.

"Although she walked with kings, she always kept the common touch," Jones said. "I'm proof of that."

King Farris's son Isaac Newton Farris told GPB News, "It's not just Black Georgia history, not white Georgia history. It's Georgia history. Not Democratic history. Not Georgia Republican history. It's coming together under a Republican governor.”

Farris recalled his mother's favorite saying, "Through it all, I have learned to depend on God." He said it was her "go-to" phrase in times of challenge.

She titled her autobiography Through it All.

King Farris faced challenges as the oldest surviving member of one of the country's most influential families. Not only was her famous brother gunned down, but her mother, Alberta King, was shot and killed in 1974 while sitting at an organ at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Her son remembers "her quiet strength and her will to succeed." 

A celebration of her life also took place last week at her alma mater Spelman College where she taught for half a century until retiring in 2014. The college service included special ceremonies by two organizations where she held memberships —The Links Inc., led by the Buckhead Cascade City Chapter, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., spearheaded by the Kappa Omega chapter.

Her funeral was at her beloved Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her grandfather, father, and brother preached.

"Georgia is better because she passed our way," said her pastor, Sen. Raphael Warnock.

"Mother was quiet but powerful," Farris said.

Tags: Atlanta  Georgia  georgia capitol  Brian Kemp  Georgia Governor  Raphael Warnock  Ebenezer Baptist Church  Martin Luther King Jr