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Hundreds attend Councilman Larry Green’s funeral

Everyone from the top elected officials in the Houston area to longtime friends packed Brentwood Baptist Church, honoring a man they call an extraordinary leader who never knew a stranger and truly held service as his calling.

On Monday, hundreds of family, friends, and colleagues said goodbye to Houston City Council Member Larry Green. Green was found dead inside his home during a welfare check on March 6.

Everyone from the top elected officials in the Houston area to longtime friends packed Brentwood Baptist Church, honoring a man they call an extraordinary leader who never knew a stranger and truly held service as his calling.

“I’ll miss him as a colleague, I’ll miss him as a fraternity brother, and certainly I’ll miss him as a friend,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston.

The music Green loved filled the more than two-hour-long service at his home church.

“I want to thank the persons who can really sing for helping him hit the correct notes in the choir,” said Christine Willie, his cousin, drawing laughter from attendees.

Willie remembered her cousin as a fun-loving, loyal man who was close to his family and guided by the values they instilled in him.

“Larry’s gift was making every person in a relationship with him feel like that relationship was unique and special,” said Willie.

That’s a big reason Willie says she believes the church was so full, including members of Green’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.

“With Larry, it was all about service, even at that point,” recalled Steve Pipkin, Green’s fraternity brother, on their college days. “He missed some meetings while we were on line, one or two, and I lied and covered for him, and he was actually at a boys’ club.”

That is just one example of Green’s drive to serve, colleagues say, not only in the Southwest Houston neighborhood he grew up in, but for everyone in his District K.

“He stood tall and never turned his back on Hiram Clarke,” said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston), who hired Green as her district director.

“Larry cared about people who could never make a single contribution to his campaign,” said Rep. Al Green (D-Houston).

Mayor Turner told attendees that Green helped make life better for all Houstonians.

“For the last time, Council Member Green, I, the mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaim this day, March 12th, 2018, as Councilman Larry V. Green day in the city of Houston!” said Turner, to building applause and cheering. “May God be to His glory for the good He has done!”

Donald Perkins, Green’s Chief of Staff, highlighted a new HPD substation, street lights, murals, and thousands of planted trees as just a few improvements Green brought to his district.

Green is survived by his brother. He will be laid to rest at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland.

Harris County’s Medical Examiner has not determined how Green died. Houston police do not believe there foul play was involved.

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