Memorial services set in Tennessee for late civil rights leader Rev. Samuel 'Billy' Kyles

April 28, 2016 at 9:52 p.m. | Updated April 28, 2016 at 9:52 p.m.

by Associated Press

In a Jan. 8, 2005 photo, the Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles , pastor at Monumental Baptist Church, poses for a photo in Memphis, Tenn. Kyles, a longtime civil rights leader who was present when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, died Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Memphis. He was 81.(Matthew Craig/The Commercial Appeal via AP)
In a Jan. 8, 2005 photo, the Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles , pastor at Monumental Baptist Church, poses for a photo in Memphis, Tenn. Kyles, a longtime civil rights leader who was present when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, died Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Memphis. He was 81.(Matthew Craig/The Commercial Appeal via AP)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Memorial and funeral services have been set for the Rev. Samuel 'Billy' Kyles, the civil rights leader and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who died Tuesday in Memphis at age 81.

Monumental Baptist Church, where Kyles served as pastor for 55 years, said a viewing is scheduled at the National Civil Rights Museum starting at 4 p.m. next Thursday.

Another viewing will take place at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood starting at noon on May 6, followed by a community celebration service at the same church at 4 p.m.

A viewing and funeral are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. May 7 at Monumental Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Monumental Baptist Church-April 4th Ministry or the National Civil Rights Museum.

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