Coretta Scott King’s funeral service on Tuesday in suburban Atlanta framed her life perfectly.
It was at times historic, at times heart rendering, at times brutally honest and at times, humorous.
The woman, who arose over tragedy to keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s “dream” alive and burning in the hearts of billions of people worldwide, was celebrated by four living presidents, heads of state, the poor and the powerful during a seven-hour service at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
“The service certainly helped define her life,” said Congressman William Lacy Clay, who traveled with a four-plane delegation from Washington, D.C.
“What she meant to the country and what she meant to the world was shared here today. This service speaks volumes for the indelible mark she left on this country, its people and the attitude that changed this nation’s racial landscape.”
Speaker after speaker spoke and/or sang the praises of Coretta Scott King who passed away on Jan. 30 at the age of 78. She died in Mexico while being treated for ovarian cancer.
Former President Bill Clinton, who received a thunderous ovation from the more than 10,000 people in attendance with his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, at his side, said it is important to remember that Coretta Scott King was more than a symbol or the wife of a martyr.
“She was a woman who lived and breathed,” said Clinton.
He also asked, “what are we going to do now? What are we going to uphold her work?”
