The public was invited to share in the memorial service for Dexter King, the son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Celebration of Life and Legacy was well-attended by civil rights icons, political dignitaries, celebrities, and the public- all of whom came to remember Dexter King.
Before the formal celebration began, Leah Weber King, the wife of Dexter King said, “I just want to welcome you to a beautiful evening we are about to have celebrating Dexter and all of his accomplishments and contributions to the King legacy, to his family, to my family. We want everybody to praise the Lord for the spectacular life that he gave to us and to Dexter and we hope you enjoy it.”
U. S. Senator of Ga and Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Raphael G. Warnock offered the opening prayer.
After that, guests were treated to several powerful musical selections by the Celebration Choir including a solo by Latrice Pace and a Gospel-inspired rendition of R&B Artists SWV’s “Rain.”
The Spelman College Glee Club performed a powerful rendition of “Wade in the Water.”
A video montage of family photos, video snippets of Dexter King and interviews from those who knew him was woven between sets of the meticulously crafted program.
Celebrity performances included members of the Gospel-royalty family, The Winans-CeCe, BeBe, and Pastor Marvin Winans who joked that his parents just could not stop having kids.
Martin Luther King, III was the first of the family members to pay tribute to his brother and he received a rousing standing ovation as well as his sister Rev. Dr. Bernice King, followed by Weber King.
Both siblings also delicately addressed their past conflicts they have had as a family, that became public issues. Rev. Dr. King expressed her deep love for her brother and King III affirmed their commitment to work “together” in the future.
They also both shared fond and humorous childhood stories of Dexter including a time when Dexter’s “gift for gab” averted a trip for him and Martin III in the patty-wagon for riding motor bikes in the street.
Bernice King laughed at her memory of a time when Dexter threatened to run away from home.
“Dexter ran away, and we were looking for him. He was in the backyard in the doghouse. That was funny,” she said.
She also remembered how Dexter always asked “Why?”, which she says was indicative of his inquisitive nature and brilliant mind.
“Dexter you’re too old for this, shut up!”, she remembered they told him.
Weber King paid tribute to her husband with an open letter, which recounted how their romance began and blossomed, how they worked hard to protect it, and how much she admired him for his hard work on behalf of his family.
R&B music legend Stevie Wonder wrapped up the music celebrations with his performance of, “They Won’t Go, When I Go.”
It was indeed a celebration fit for a King.
In lieu of flowers the King family ask that donations be made to The King Center at www.thekingcenter.org .
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