Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King – A Civil Rights Icon’s 90th Milestone

Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King, Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
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Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King, one of the Matriarchs of the Civil Rights era, the beautiful widow of the late Rev. Dr. Alfred Daniel “A.D.” King, sister-in-law to the late Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr., and Dr. Christine King Farris (age 94), reached the milestone of 90 years of living gracefully on November 17, 2021.

The beautiful flowers and cake presented to Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

She was honored on Saturday, November 13 at the 12th Annual A.D. King Foundation Youth Empowerment Awards Gala Dinner orchestrated by the President/CEO of this great organization, Dr. Babs Onabanjo at Atlanta Metropolitan State College Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Babs Onabanjo, President/CEO of the A. D. King Foundation and wife, Mrs. Sika Pauline Zulu-Onabanjo who gave an inspirational speech – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Display – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
The King Family on the red carpet representing – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Dr. K. Renee Robertson was the Mistress of Ceremony who kept the evening flowing.

Dr. K. Renee Robertson – Mistress of Ceremony – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Beautiful Jemiriye performed throughout the night – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

It was an elegant celebration with dignitaries in which the theme was Honoring Leaders with Courage, Integrity, Humility, Resilience, Diversity and Civility. Mrs. King was honored as she received numerous honorable awards that she has rightfully earned.

Renee Sudderth, Splash Magazine Photojournalist, Rev. Dr. Anthony Motley of Lindsey Baptist Church honors Mrs. King – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King being presented The Resolutions from Georgia Representative Billy Mitchell while Dr. Babs Onabanjo, President/CEO of the A. D. King Foundation stands by being proud – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Mrs. King’s beautiful cake and several of her awards she received – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Many Certificates and Philanthropy Awards were presented to the youth. 

Tri-Cities High was part of this honorable day – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
The Youth are always honored and they deserve it – Mario Godinez, Mehrona Sirojiddinova, Hiwot Ayalew, and John-David Richards – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Each youth read what they had written, others read in languages of Russia, Nigeria, Spanish, etc- Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
The dancing sisters from London who traveled to honor A.D. King legacy internationally and got a little sample of how we spend Thanksgiving – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Mrs. Naomi King was born in Dothan, Alabama 90 years ago, moved to Atlanta, met the love of her life, A. D. King

What a beautiful couple they became, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Daniel King who made their mark in history – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Singer/Actress Eartha Sims portraying Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King on her wedding day with A.D. King in 1950 – – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

and their union was blessed with 5 children with only two surviving children now, Evangelist Alveda King and Rev. Derek B. King.

First Cousins – Angelia Farris-Watkins, Rev. Derek King and Rev. Bernice King on the red carpet – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Evangelist Alveda King and Sculpture Artist Stan Mullins shares a fun moment – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Mrs. King is so thankful for all the years she spent with her entire family despite their Birmingham, Alabama home being bombed and their church in Louisville, Kentucky being bombed. Tragically, her brother-n-law, Martin L. King, Jr., was murdered (1968), then 15 months later her husband A.D., supposedly drown (1969) but she knows in her heart he was murdered also.

The King family still marches on – Isaac Farris, Mrs. King and grandson, Jarrett Ellis – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Yolanda Renee King, Martin L. King III, Mrs. Naomi King and grandson, Jarrett Ellis – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Renee Sudderth, Yolanda Renee King, Martin L. King III, Mrs. Naomi King and grandson, Jarrett Ellis – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Mrs. King has dedicated her life to keeping her husband’s astounding, legacy alive through the A. D. King Foundation and is still traveling around the world. A matter of fact, she will be traveling to Israel in a few months.

Eartha Sims sharing a nice moment with Mrs. King – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Mrs. King is definitely a ray of sunshine and is still pretty, like a butterfly. When I asked her what did she think of this evening she said with excitement, “Wonderful, it was just wonderful and I’m so grateful”.  Dr. Onabanjo also commented, “she was excited and overjoyed about the evening. Mrs. King has done a remarkable job of keeping A. D. King’s legacy alive.

The public has been made aware of her husband because of Mrs. King’s effort and now Rev. Dr. A.D. King is receiving the honor that is due. It’s been a long road but it has come to light because of Mrs. King love for her husband and the civil rights movement. She believes in God and always praising Him. She loves children. The children love her and she will keep aiming high and looking to the sky”.

Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King loving on her precious great grandchildren – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

You can help to keep the A.D. King Foundation alive and be part of it. We shall see you at the next annual gala, November 12, 2022 and other activities throughout the year that will keep the King’s legacy alive.

Stan Mullis hard work of creating these beautiful sculptures – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Dr. K. Renee Robertson honors surprisely the Joe Biden Presidential Award to Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King who deserves it with her life long commitment to her late husband, the civil rights era, the A.D. King Foundation, etc – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth
Renee Sudderth, Splash Magazine Photojournalist congratulating the Beautiful Butterfly Queen, Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King with all of her honors this evening – Photo Courtesy of Renee Suddderth

Family is important – love each other while the time is here and thank you to Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King, Dr. Christine King Farris (not present) and the King family – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King speaks and we listen – and we were so proud to spend this special evening with Mrs. King on her 90th Birthday Celebration – Photo Courtesy of Renee Sudderth

A D King Foundation Youth Empowerment Award Gala 2021 & The 90th Naomi King Birthday Celebration – YouTube

For more information about the foundation visit:

www.adkingfoundation.com , www.adkingfoundation.ning.comwww.facebook.com/Drbabs.onabanjo , www.youtube.com/Babsonabanjo Babs O Onabanjo, Ph.D.
President/CEO: A. D. King Foundation, Inc.
2505 Creel Rd
Atlanta, GA 30349 phone | 678-736-4933 cell: 770-873-9265fx

A D KING FOUNDATION

11 Comments

  1. This is a fabulous historical article highlighting the gifts and sacrifices that the King family have given to the world. What a beautiful lady and a beautiful life. The world needs to know about A.D. and Naomi King. His brother Martin was larger than life and overshadowed some of his siblings although they were out there marching, praying and putting their lives on the line too. A.D. and Martin made the ultimate sacrifice…their lives.

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