Ada Sharpton, 87, passed away in Dothan, Alabama at about 6:15am. Reverend Sharpton posted the following:
“My mother, Ada Sharpton passed in the early hours of this morning. She was my all. I hope God will give her now, PEACE. I love you, Mom.”
Longtime Sharpton spokesperson Rachel Noerdlinger says mother Sharpton fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Noerdlinger also said Sharpton will fly to Alabama to make arrangements for his mother’s funeral after attending a rally Thursday evening in Sanford, Fla., for Trayvon Martin.
Rev. Sharpton learned of his mother’s death while boarding the flight to Florida Thursday morning, according to Noerdlinger. Sharpton heads the National Action Network, a civil rights organization based in New York City and anchors the 6pm national newscast on MSNBC and a daily syndicated radio talk show.