Funeral Set for DC’s ‘Mayor of Life’ Marion Barry
WASHINGTON (AP) — Political and civil rights leaders are expected to join thousands of Washington residents to say goodbye to the city's "Mayor for Life," Marion Barry.
Barry died on Nov. 23, 2014 at age 78. His funeral is set for Saturday at the Washington Convention Center, capping three days of memorial events.
Barry was the most famous and influential politician in 40 years of District of Columbia self-rule.
He served as mayor for 16 years and was credited with expanding economic opportunity for the city's black majority.
He also had well-documented personal struggles, culminating in a 1990 arrest for smoking crack cocaine. He served six months in prison but was later elected to his fourth term, capping a remarkable comeback.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime friend and ally, will deliver the eulogy.
(Story by: Ben Nuckols, The Associated Press, with minor editing by WIBX)
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