Fountain Heights in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Death of an Icon

March Route Towards a Purposeful Life

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Death of an Icon Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Death of an Icon Marker

Inscription. Rev. Shuttlesworth often said he expected to die at an early age in his toe-to-toe battles with violent White segregationists who were bent on maintaining power. But he outlived Dr. King and Rev. Abernathy, the last of "the Big Three." He lived to share his daring exploits with schoolchildren from around world, encouraging them to secure the freedoms that he and his cohorts fought and died to win for them. He led groups of dignitaries in tours of Birmingham's civil rights history; they marveled at his bravery and were inspired to fight for justice. In all his strivings, Rev. Shuttlesworth never expressed any bitterness toward "Bull” Connor or any of the other segregationists who sought to kill the Movement and its messengers. He had hoped to sit down down and reconcile with Connor, but Connor died in 1973 at age 75. Rev. Shuttlesworth lived for another 38 years.

Paired marker October 5, 2011
Before his stroke left him unable to speak, Rev. Shuttlesworth participated in one of his last visits to Selma for “Bloody Sunday” commemorations. He met then-Senator Barack Obama, who pushed his wheelchair across

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the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and former President William "Bill” Clinton. He lived long enough to see Senator Obama become the first African-American president of the United States. Shuttlesworth also visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Trail that underscores his enormous contribution to the Civil Rights Movement locally and nationally. Rev. Shuttlesworth died on October 5, 2011, at age 89. The city planned a three-day state funeral with events commemorating his life and legacy. The funeral featured national speakers, including some of his civil rights friends: U.S. Rep. John Lewis; former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young; Rev. Joseph Lowery; Rev. C.1. Vivian; Juanita Abernathy, widow of Rev. Ralph Abernathy; and Martin Luther King, III. Celebrity guests included Dick Gregory, Peter Yarrow of the 60's group Peter, Paul and Mary; gospel singer Pastor Donnie McClurkin; and Ruben Studdard. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley ordered flags on government property be lowered to half-staff until Rev. Shuttlesworth's burial here at Oak Hill Cemetery.

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the

Death of an Icon Marker (paired marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

2. Death of an Icon Marker (paired marker)

faith"
Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth
11 Timothy 5:7 (NIV) Quoted in the funeral program of Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth

Lesson E20: How do you think one person could influence so many people to fight for justice?

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number E20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 2011.

Location. 33° 31.634′ N, 86° 48.971′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Fountain Heights. It is on 19th Street North north of F L Shuttlesworth Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located near Arthur Shores Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1221 19th St N, Birmingham AL 35234, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. Death of an Icon Marker

Arthur Shores Park is on right, Oak Cemetery is on left.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shuttlesworth Returns to Birmingham (within shouting distance of this marker); Shuttlesworth after the Civil Rights Era (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shuttlesworth in Selma (about 400 feet away); Capt. Charles Linn (about 500 feet away); Oak Hill Cemetery (about 600 feet away); In Memory of the Pioneers (about 600 feet away); Shuttlesworth Continues the Struggle (about 600 feet away); Paying the Ultimate Price (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Regarding Death of an Icon. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth. (Submitted on December 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.