Martin Luther King Parents Names and Family Background
Martin Luther King parents names are Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Sr. Coretta Scott King was born on April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama, and was a singer, civil rights activist, and author. Martin Luther King Sr., originally named Michael King, was born on December 19, 1899, in Stockbridge, Georgia, and served as a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Coretta Scott King biography details her early life, education at Antioch College and the New England Conservatory of Music, and her later role as a leader in the King Center.
The parents of Martin Luther King Jr. met while he was studying at Crozer Theological Seminary and she was studying in Boston. They married on June 18, 1953, and had four children: Yolanda Denise King, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice Albertine King. The King Center family overview provides current details on the family lineage and the foundation's work to advance the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Coretta Scott King: Career, Activism, and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Coretta Scott King grew up in rural Alabama and graduated as valedictorian from Lincoln High School. She later studied music and education at Antioch College in Ohio and continued vocal studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Coretta Scott King biography notes her involvement in the civil rights movement alongside her husband and her advocacy for peace, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Leadership After Martin Luther King Jr.
After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Coretta Scott King founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and campaigned for the establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. She remained active in global causes until her death on January 31, 2006. The King Center family overview describes her role in shaping the organization and preserving her husband's philosophy of nonviolence.
Martin Luther King Sr.: Ministry and Influence
Pastoral Career at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Martin Luther King Sr. became pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1931 and served in that role for decades. He was a prominent figure in the National Baptist Convention and mentored many young ministers. Martin Luther King Sr. biography outlines his early life, his decision to change his name from Michael to Martin Luther, and his influence on the civil rights movement.
Family and Later Years
Martin Luther King Sr. survived his wife Coretta Scott King and continued to speak publicly about civil rights until his death on November 11, 1984. He played a direct role in guiding the early activism of his son and remained a respected elder statesman in the African American community. The King Center family overview notes his contributions to the foundation and the ongoing mission to advance social justice.