HOUSTON – More than 200 people filled the St. Paul United Methodist church to honor a man who touched many lives. Friends and loved ones gathered to lay 28-year-old Dr. Devon Wade to rest Saturday.
"Today is about remembering his happy soul, and he will forever live through many people's lives that he touched, including mine," said Wade's older sister Tyrena Booker.
Wade was a mentor, leader, teacher and good friend to many who knew him. He was a graduate of the old Smiley High School. Wade was a shining example of success.
When Channel 2 profiled him this past spring, he was an honors graduate of Louisiana State University, a Harry S. Truman scholar and a doctoral student of sociology at Columbia University.
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In 2005, he joined the group No More Victims, a nonprofit that focused on providing guidance, fellowship and support for children or young adults whose parents are incarcerated.
The service included tribute songs, and No More Victims led a dance to honor Wade.
Some of his closest friends and loved ones shared his story, including his professor at Columbia University in New York.
"He changed what happened around him. He made our community a different place," said Columbia Sociology Professor, Shamus Khan, who worked with Wade on his thesis.
Wade's sister said her brother was special.
"I would look into his eyes and he always had a sparkle and was always so happy and cheerful," Booker said.
That sparkle was his love to pay it forward.
"Very, very organized. He came in and took control of our line. He was actually the president of our line," said Stan Johnson with Kappa Alpha Psi, Wade's fraternity.
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"He taught us not to be victim to our circumstance -- get educated, not incarcerated," said Kevin Harber, a member of No More Victims, who was mentored by Wade. "He inspired out whole class to want to go to college-- because he's our first doctor so that was inspirational."
Wade was laid to rest at Brookside Cemetery Saturday afternoon.