Tributes to councilman fill church, honoring his legacy
Green ‘gave himself’ to his constituents
In remembrance and in laughter, with green ribbons affixed to their lapels, family, friends and constituents filled a megachurch Monday to bid farewell to City Councilman Larry Green.
Green, who died suddenly last week at 52, represented southwest Houston’s District K for more than six years. He came to be known as a staunch advocate for the communities that elected him, securing resources such as street repairs, a new police station and an economic development zone.
The 2½-hour service at Brentwood Baptist Church celebrated that legacy.
“He gave himself to this district,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said at the service Monday. “The district loved him. He loved them back. And Larry was hands-on, and he wanted better because if you’ve lived in districts and neighborhoods that have been underserved, what brings you satisfaction is
to make it better.
“Maybe in his own way, he knew he didn’t have a long time. And so he had to work with a great deal of urgency to get it done,” Turner said.
Green’s funeral was preceded by a viewing and a memorial service from his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.
By 11:30 a.m., the start of the Homegoing Service, Brentwood was standing room only, with enough local elected officials in attendance that Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis eventually listed them off from the podium: “I want you to know Larry Green is enjoying every minute of this. I looked out and I saw the DA, the sheriff, the constables, police chief, fire chief, the mayor … congresspeople here.”
Green’s nieces read Scripture, and Rev. Remus Wright, of the Fountain of Praise church, led the congregants in prayer before family, friends and elected officials told stories about the councilman’s life. The cause of Green’s death remains unknown, but police do not suspect foul play.
Green’s cousin, Christine Sampson Willie, spoke to his compassion.
“One of Larry’s most unique gifts was making every person and relationship with him feel like that relationship was unique and special,” Willie said. “I believe that quality in him is the main reason this church is so full today.”
Tonja Wagner-Jackson, one of several high school classmates in attendance, recalled a lighter side: Green would regularly pull Wagner-Jackson’s hair when he sat behind her in second grade.
Though somber at times, the funeral was punctuated by frequent laughter, singing and standing ovations commemorating Green’s service to the city of Houston. He remains the only person elected to lead District K, one of two City Council seats added after the 2010 Census.
Time and again, fellow elected officials acknowledged Green’s dedication to his constituents.
“His ultimate mountaintop was the opportunity to run for this newly created voting rights District K, (which) came about through the idea of one person, one vote,” said U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, his former boss. “I don’t know who else could have run. All I know is the man who should have won did win.”
Jackson Lee and U.S. Rep. Al Green, no relation to the councilman, brought flags they had flown in Green’s honor above the U.S. Capitol.
In addition to serving as Jackson Lee’s district director, Green, a Houston native and Thurgood Marshall School of Law graduate, practiced law for two decades and ran the job training nonprofit HoustonWorks USA. At City Council, he chaired the transportation, technology and infrastructure committee.
Turner, who took office two years ago, called those who gather weekly around the council horseshoe an “extended family” and promised they would not let the ball drop in District K.
“Can you die and still live?” he asked. “I believe you can die and still live. And the beauty of today is that Council Member Larry Green has passed, but he still lives.”
Green is survived by a brother, two nieces, two nephews and numerous family members in Texas and Louisiana.