HOUSTON — Congressman Sylvester Turner, the 62nd mayor of the City of Houston and a longtime community leader, was honored by the local and political community during his funeral service on Saturday, March 15, 2025, concluding the public events that celebrated his life.
Political figures, community members, friends and loved ones gathered at The Church Without Walls, located at 5725 Queenston Blvd., at 1 p.m. to honor Turner, who passed away in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2025.
Turner’s final celebration of life was filled with powerful tributes and speeches from former colleagues and loved ones. Yolanda Adams was among the artists who sang at the service. Among national and local political figures that spoke included U.S. House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Pastor Dr. Ralph Douglas West gave the eulogy.
One of the most powerful tributes given was that of Turner’s daughter, Ashley Paige Turner Captain.
“No matter where he was in the world or what he was doing, if I called, he would answer. My dad and I talked almost every day,” Captain said while addressing attendees. “He taught me how to speak up for myself and for others. He encouraged me to be myself and ignited my love for travel.”
Captain recalled how her father encouraged her to rely on her faith during trying times.
“He would often say, ‘Ash, you do what you can and let God do the rest,'” she shared. “There was nothing left unsaid between us. He knew exactly what he meant to me and I know exactly what I meant to him.”
Congressman Turner was born on Sept. 27, 1954. He graduated as valedictorian from Klein High School in 1973, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston in 1977, and obtained a juris doctor from Harvard Law School in 1980. In 1983, he co-founded the law firm Barnes & Turner, where he specialized in corporate and commercial law. His political career began in 1988 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for District 193, a position he held for 27 years. During his tenure, he served 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee and six years as speaker pro tempore.
Elected as the mayor of Houston in 2015, Turner served in the role for two terms, having been re-elected in 2019. After ending his tenure in January 2024, he ran to fill the 18th congressional district seat following Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s passing from pancreatic cancer. He served on the House Homeland Security and Science, Space and Technology committees.
Throughout his career, Congressman Turner was known for his bipartisan leadership. He showed an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of all Houstonians.
