Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner attended the funeral of Maleah Davis and spoke about the impact the 4-year-old’s tragic death had on the world.
Turner was among the hundreds of people who attended the funeral in Houston on Saturday, June 22, ABC13 Eyewitness News reported.
“A 4-year-old united the city,” Turner said in a recording shared on Twitter by KPRC2 reporter Taisha Walker. “Because of Maleah I believe you have parents today who are telling their kids they love them. They’re embracing their kids, they’re holding their kids tighter, they’re being more responsible and more protective of their kids because of Maleah.”
Mayor Turner spoke after Meleah’s funeral service a short time ago. He said Meleah was a special young girl and her service was colorful and uplifting. Take a listen. @KPRC2 @SylvesterTurner #meleahdavis pic.twitter.com/eaHdgDZqiI
— Taisha Walker (@KPRC2Taisha) June 22, 2019
Flowers, teddy bears, and private condolence messages were collected by the Richardson Mortuary funeral home ahead of the service.
KPRC2 shared a photograph of the Community Crossing Church where Maleah’s motorcade departed from, reporting that Turner called the ceremony “very uplifting and very colorful.”
In a private ceremony Saturday, Maleah Davis was laid to rest. https://t.co/rnA2atH4FA #kprc2 #HouNews #JusticeForMaleah
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) June 23, 2019
KPRC2 Houston reporter Taisha Walker shared footage of the motorcade, noting the “rainbow colored roses on top of her rainbow My Little Pony casket.”
Meleah Davis is heading off to her final resting place now. You can see the rainbow colored roses on top of her rainbow My Little Pony casket if you look closely. @KPRC2 #meleahdavjs pic.twitter.com/EUMRPsg0bs
— Taisha Walker (@KPRC2Taisha) June 22, 2019
Maleah’s Final Message
The only member of the media reportedly allowed to attend the funeral was ABC13’s Stefania Okolie. The station shared an image of the heartbreaking obituary message passed out to mourners, written from Maleah’s perspective.
The front cover follows the theme of her My Little Pony casket and reads “Maleah Lynn Davis” and “I came to play on February 6, 2015. I flew away with the angels on May 4, 2019.”
Meleah Lynn Davis is being laid to rest today. Mayor Turner just told reporters the funeral was beautiful and that the service was uplifting. More than 300 people attended. The 4-year-old had rainbow colored roses on top of her rainbow colored “My Little Pony” casket. pic.twitter.com/E3AX9ksiuJ
— Taisha Walker (@KPRC2Taisha) June 22, 2019
“While listening to music was my favorite hobby, Rainbow Dash was my best friend,” the funeral program read, referencing the girl’s favorite My Little Pony character. It said the little girl liked to draw rainbows and that “bright colors of the rainbow always brought a smile to my face.”
“I enjoyed my life,” the message continues, “and I want to thank everyone who made me laugh, smile and love on you.”
The message ends with, “I loved life. Thank you for loving me. Rainbows and kisses. Maleah.”
Maleah’s biological father, Craig Davis, was cited by New York Daily News as saying that guests at the funeral wore pink bracelets with the words “Maleah Lynn Davis.”
The girl’s mother, Brittany Bowens, released a single white dove in her honor.
Earlier, the family told New York Daily News, “Maleah spread love and laughter wherever she went. She has left a profound message of love on this world that will never be forgotten.”
“She touched the lives of many; our shining, beautiful little girl, the light of our lives and the star of our hearts who leaves us smiling through our tears,” Maleah’s obituary reads. “She was happiness personified.”
News of Maleah’s tragic death came after weeks of searching. Her body was found in Arkansas on May 30 after a Houston-area community activist said a suspect in the case told him where he had dumped the girl’s body.
Derion Vence, the ex-fiancé of the little girl’s mother, has since been charged in connection with her death.
