Tougaloo College Mourns the Passing of Civil Rights Leader and Former Chaplain Reverend Edwin King
TOUGALOO, MS. — Tougaloo College joins the nation in mourning the passing of Reverend Edwin King, a civil rights leader, advocate for justice, and former College Chaplain whose legacy remains deeply woven into the history of Tougaloo and the Civil Rights Movement.
Reverend King served as Chaplain at Tougaloo College from 1963 to 1967, a defining period in both the institution’s history and the nation’s struggle for civil rights. During his tenure, he provided spiritual leadership, mentorship, and unwavering support to students who courageously challenged injustice through peaceful activism.
His arrival at Tougaloo in 1963 coincided with one of the most significant chapters in the College’s history. That same year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his first visit to Tougaloo’s campus, and Tougaloo students organized the historic Woolworth’s sit-in in downtown Jackson on May 28, 1963. Reverend King, alongside Medgar Evers, stood beside those students as a trusted mentor and advocate during their pursuit of equality and justice.
Beyond campus, Reverend King was a charter member of the Mississippi Freedom
Democratic Party (MFDP) and played an instrumental role in the voting rights movement during Freedom Summer. His leadership reflected a lifelong commitment to faith, courage, and the belief that education and justice are inseparable.
“Reverend Edwin King understood that higher education is not only about preparing minds—it is also about shaping character and inspiring courageous leadership,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, President of Tougaloo College. “His ministry at Tougaloo extended far beyond the chapel. He walked alongside our students during one of the most pivotal periods in our nation’s history, encouraging them to lead with conviction, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. We honor his extraordinary life and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were blessed by his service.”
Today, Reverend King’s legacy continues to inspire the Tougaloo community and serves as a lasting reminder of the College’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, civic engagement, and social justice.
Tougaloo College extends its deepest sympathies to Reverend King’s loved ones and joins countless others in celebrating a life devoted to faith, service, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. His legacy lives on in every student who chooses courage over comfort, service over self, and justice over complacency.
Tougaloo Strong.
