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Forty years ago, packed into a roomy '58 Chevy, Sara L. Moss, her sister Willie Mae Hannum, their mother Mary Wilson and friend Marva Byers set out in the wee hours to witness history.

These residents of Alcoa were not disappointed.

The destination, Atlanta, the date, April 9, 1968 and the occasion -- the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wilson was determined to take her girls to pay tribute to this freedom fighter, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Civil Rights leader and man of faith. Hannum said she and Sara took the day off work from Levi's, and Moss drove them down in the darkness of early morning.

They arrived at about 4 a.m.

"There really wasn't anybody there," Moss recalled. "It was just solemn and quiet. It was really peaceful."

The travelers drove down one street in Atlanta and noticed a man carrying the most beautiful flowers they'd ever seen. There was activity all around one particular house, so the four parked the car and walked up to the front door.

Greeted by Secret Service men, they realized they had arrived at Dr. King's home. And although their cameras were held, they were able to step inside, sign the guest book and walk where this hero had.

"It was just like you would visit a house here," Moss said. "Looking back, it was unreal."

A day to remember

Hannum said she had lived in Atlanta, but didn't know her way around very well. The fact they drove right to King's front door had to be more than dumb luck, she said.

"I feel like we were led there," Hannum said.

The travelers from Alcoa didn't get to attend the funeral inside Morehouse College; they sat on the ground outside anyway. And when the procession went by, they were there to witness it along with thousands of other mourners. There were two funerals that day. One private ceremony at Ebenezer Baptist Church, King's church, and at Morehouse, his alma mater.

Jan. 15 is the birthday of MLK and also the birthday of Moss' son, Michael. Moss said she felt called to do something years ago on a community level to honor MLK, his legacy and what has been accomplished since his assassination. She held the first MLK celebration in Alcoa back in 1982, and on Sunday, she will direct members of her church and community in another celebration of King's life. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became an official national holiday in 1986.

"Living the Dream" will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday at Rest Haven Missionary Baptist Church, located on East Watt Street in Alcoa. Moss will deliver the opening words which will be followed by poetry recitations, prayer, skits, songs, exerts from Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and closing remarks. Hannum will read one of the poems she has written entitled "The Best Day of My Life." And Hannum's granddaughter, Diavion Jackson, will also recite a poem.

The dream lives on

There have been strides made in the journey to racial equality and harmony, Hannum and Moss agree. Even at his funeral, the sisters said they felt peace and unity as people from all walks of life and different races gathered to pay their respects.

"What resonates through my mind is that Martin Luther King had a dream. You can kill the person but you can't kill the dream," she said.

Part of this tribute Sunday will also include President-elect Barack Obama, this nation's first black president. Hannum said she would love to be at his inauguration a few days from now. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders with world conflicts, joblessness and expectations of a nation in crisis. Hannum said it shouldn't be his burden alone.

"It is within each of us to do something to help make this world a better place," she said. "Change begins with us. We have to be a willing vessel."

The scripture for the Sunday tribute will come from Judges 4, versus 1-8. Other program activities include recognition of the Alcoa football team and also Shericka Wilson, a former Alcoa athlete.

Forty years after Martin Luther King was assassinated, a black man was elected president. Like many others, Hannum and Moss stayed glued to their television sets on that historical election night.

Now it's time to get down to the business of fixing what needs fixing, they said, never losing sight of the leader who 40 years ago had a dream that has indeed lived on.