Death of an Icon

Death of an Icon. March Route Towards a Purposeful Life. 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 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 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?