The last week, thousands of people have paid their respects to the late Congressman, former mayor and former state representative – from Houston’s City Hall, to the Texas Capitol, and lastly at Turner’s longtime church The Church without Walls for a final send-off.

Photojournalists Lexi Parra and May-Ying Lam documented moments of shared grief and tribute for a beloved man and lifelong public servant.

Officers ceremoniously enter as the public wait to pay their respects to late Congressman Sylvester Turner, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Houston. The line went around the block before opening the doors, as people took their turn to visit. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

RELATED: A kind, respectful gentleman who happened to be mayor, Houstonians remember Sylvester Turner

People wait outside City Hall to pay their respects to late Congressman Sylvester Turner, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Houston. Hundreds were in attendance, including political figures, colleagues, and community organization, as well as the public. One attendee Vanessa Graham-Morgan (top right photo) cries as she enters City Hall to pay respects to late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Graham-Morgan was Turner’s secretary while he was Mayor of Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

“Let my dad be the example of how to live life in your purpose. He has taught us that as long as you still have breath in your body, you still have purpose to fulfill.”

– Ashley Turner-Captain, Sylvester Turner’s only daughter

(Top right) A woman prays at late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s lie in at City Hall, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing) (Top right) Congressman and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner lies in state at the Texas Capitol on Thursday March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas. A memorial ceremony was held in his honor. (Bottom) Houston Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum, right, reacts as Turner’s casket is brought upstairs to the Texas Capitol on Thursday March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (May-Ying Lam for Houston Landing)
Congressman and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner lies in state at the Texas Capitol on Thursday March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas. A memorial ceremony was held in his honor. (May-Ying Lam for Houston Landing)
(Left) From left, Nathan Jones, Jessica Jones, K’Netha Jones, and Thomas Jones take a moment at Turner’s casket. (Right) Former State Representative Helen Giddings hugs Turner’s daughter Ashley Turner-Captain. (May-Ying Lam for Houston Landing)
State Senator Borris Miles touches an abacus, which Sylvester Turner would use in the past to illustrate his points. (May-Ying Lam for Houston Landing)
Ashley Paige Turner Captain, Sylvester Turner’s daughter arrives at her father, the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s, funeral service at The Church without Walls in West Houston, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

RELATED: Sylvester Turner remembered as advocate for the underserved throughout long political career

(Top left) Officials bring late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s casket. (Top right) People stand together as they await the start of the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service. (Bottom) Treva Jones and the Church without Walls Choir perform at the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service at The Church without Walls in West Houston, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

RELATED: Photo Essay: Sylvester Turner, congressman and former mayor of Houston, dead at 70

People stand up and call out during performances and speeches during Turner’s funeral service. To kick off the day, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity perform at the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service at The Church without Walls in West Houston, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

“Sylvester grew up dreaming on that bus of one day joining the important people in one of those skyscrapers downtown,” Ellis said. “The special thing about Sylvester Turner, he wasn’t just dreaming for himself, he was dreaming for all of us.”

– Rodney Ellison, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner, who knew Turner since he was 16

(Left) A woman sings along with the choir during the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service. (Right) Officials bring out late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s casket at the end of the funeral service at The Church without Walls in West Houston, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

RELATED: Sylvester Turner eulogized as a man of faith, family and public service to Houston

(Top left) People sign a guest book at the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service. (Top right) A woman sheds tears during the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s funeral service. (Bottom) Ashley Paige Turner Captain, Sylvester Turner’s daughter leaves her father, the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s, funeral service at The Church without Walls in West Houston, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Houston. (Lexi Parra / Houston Landing)

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Lexi Parra is a photo editor for Houston Landing. Before moving to Houston, she worked as an independent photojournalist in Caracas, Venezuela and New York, NY, and her work has been published in The New...