NATCHEZ &8212; In the Natchez area, as from throughout the world, admirers praised the life and work of Coretta Scott King on the day of her death.

King, 78, died Tuesday, about six months after she suffered a serious stroke.

The widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Mrs. King carried on her husband&8217;s dream for a colorblind society after he was assassinated in 1968.

&8220;She was a wonderfully significant woman because of her efforts to have everyone remember her husband,&8221; said Kathleen Jenkins, resource manager and interim superintendent at Natchez National Historical Park.

&8220;Mrs. King pushed to get the holiday created to honor her husband. She pushed to get the National Park created in Atlanta,&8221; Jenkins said. &8220;She had that quiet strength that goes along with having a vision.&8221;

Natchez Mayor Phillip West also admires the strength King showed under the direst circumstances.

&8220;She reminded me of President Kennedy&8217;s wife, losing her husband at such a young age but determined to accept the tragedy,&8221; West said. &8220;Mrs. King handled that situation with a lot of class.&8221;

As a widow with young children, she could have withdrawn from society, West said. &8220;But she didn&8217;t. She tried to bring about the vision she had.&8221;

Odeal Montgomery, former Ferriday mayor, alderwoman, teacher and activist, said King was a great lady and an inspiration.

&8220;She carried on the fight for social justice. She didn&8217;t give up,&8221; Montgomery said. &8220;I wish we had more people to carry the cause forward.&8221;

Dr. King &8220;opened the doors for so many who wouldn&8217;t have had the chance to achieve,&8221; Montgomery said. &8220;She continued that. And we&8217;re reaping the benefits. They showed us the way.&8221;