Remembering life and legacy of beloved Memphis activist Georgia King

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — During Georgia King’s life, she fought for the homeless, founded the Memphis Bus Riders Union and marched in support of Jena Six in Memphis.

Although she has passed, those close to her are vowing to keep her memory alive.

King, who was known as Mother King, died Tuesday. She was 82.

“I don’t have a car. I have to ride most times. If my volunteers don’t pick me up, I’m riding on MATAPlus bus or the regular buses,” King had said in an interview with FOX13.

When Georgia King saw a problem, she didn’t just throw up her hands. She fought for solutions.

“For her, it was not about protesting for two or three days. This beloved queen protested all her life,” said Carnita Atwater, a longtime friend of King’s.

For nearly six decades, Mother King fought for social justice. In the 1960s, she participated in the Sanitation Workers’ Strike and the Poor People’s Campaign.

“Mother King was one of those community activists who was not always in the forefront. And that to me was different for most people who want to be in the forefront. She was in the shadows most of the time,” said Atwater.

In the shadows but fostering true change with boots on the ground.

In 1989, she and members of the Southern Contingency of the New Exodus Walkers marched 250 miles to Capitol Hill to restore the $250 billion designated to programs for the homeless.

“The thing about Mother King, she has been giving her all as an activist, humanitarian since the late ‘50s. All the way up to the last month,” said Stanley Campbell, a godson of King’s.

In 2012, Mother King founded the Memphis Bus Riders Union to give a voice to Memphis Area Transit Authority riders.

“A true community activist will fight 24/7, 365 days and that’s who Mother King was,” Atwater said.

Although Mother King has passed, her legacy lives through the activist who were guided by the path she forged.

“I would say this to any activist, any humanitarian. Stay focused, which means stay focused on what the most high. God wants you to do for his people. And keep fighting,” Campbell said.

“We need more people to get on board to bring about change,” Mother King had said.

Those close to her hope the city will honor Mother King by erecting a statue of her.

Information about King’s funeral has not been released.

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