Activist and founder of the National Black United Front died last Thursday from complications stemming from an episode of cardiac arrest last month.
“I considered Ester my friend, my mentor and my champion,” explained P.K. McCary as she was preparing King’s obituary on a laptop computer at S.H.A.P.E. Community Center off Live Oak. “If he could do something to help someone, he would do it.”
Born June 26,1943 in Magnolia Springs to Vergie Mae and David King, Ester Lee King graduated from Carverdale Junior-Senior High School in the Cypress-Fairbanks district in 1962. After leaving the Army, King would later enroll at Texas Southern University to become a social activist, his daughter Tandiwe Kone said in a report.
Along with working with organizations like Afro-Americans for Black Liberation and S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, King’s commentary on KPFT Houston radio programs including “Pan African Journal,” “Connect the Dots” and “Self Determination” was known for King’s outspokenness on various issues. He also supported many causes including environmental justice along with rights of workers, women and more.
“He wore his power as a tool and he used it as a force for good,” said P.K. McCary. “His story is not finished.”
King’s sister-in-law Cynthia King remembers being educated on his movement because of him.
“He was a great soul,” said King. “The first words that come to mind was civil rights when I first met him at a family gathering.”
“King was a true warrior for the people. He loved history and historic movies and he served as the Friends of Emancipation Park Movie Chairperson. King also evaluated political science students’ presentations at Texas Southern University and gave them feedback on their work along with historic comments. I will miss him for his conversations with me at the office and for his contributions to to the students I taught,” said Dorris Ellis, publisher-editor of the Houston Sun.
King leaves behind his wife of 41 years Leallia King, daughter Kone King, son Ahmed Sekou Toure King, and two grandchildren.
The wake will took place at The Shrine of the Black Modonna located on 5317 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Funeral proceedings took place the following day at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church located at 3826 Wheeler Str. with the repast following at the Live Oak S.H.A.P.E. Community Center as a way to celebrate his life.