VA HJR88

Reverend Dr. Sylvester L. Turner, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Richmond and longtime community leader, died on January 11, 2026

Grew up in Richmond's Gilpin Court development and served in the United States Air Force before returning to lead community initiatives

Instrumental in creating the Richmond Slave Trail and led thousands of tours in collaboration with Hope in the Cities; co-founded the National Slavery Museum Foundation (now Shockoe Legacy Foundation)

Served as executive director of the Peter Paul Development Center in the early 1990s and worked with Hope in the Cities, Virginians for Reconciliation, and the Baptist Ministers Conference to promote racial reconciliation

Resolution directs the Clerk of the House of Delegates to present a copy to his family as an expression of the General Assembly's respect