Stephanie Houston says she struggled to accept that her second-born, Muhlaysia Booker, was a transgender woman.

The two weren't on speaking terms when her 22-year-old daughter was killed on May 19, the mother told a church full of people at Muhlaysia's funeral. Once, in a moment of anger, Houston said she threatened to cut her daughter's hair and dress her as a man if she died before her.

But when the time came to bury Muhlaysia, Houston said she honored her truth because of how hard she fought for it and paid the ultimate price.

Booker was thrust into the national spotlight when a video of a mob beating her went viral in April. Instead of retreating, Booker gave an impassioned speech at a rally that drew attention to the pattern of violence transgender individuals face.

But her friends worry her bravery made her a target for hate speech and more threats of violence. Five weeks after she was assaulted, she was fatally shot and her body was left near a wooded area in South Dallas between a golf course and a housing complex. No one has been arrested in her death, and police say they have yet to find a connection between the assault and her killing.

Elected officials, faith leaders and LGBTQ activists from across Dallas joined Booker's family in celebrating her fighting spirit on May 28 at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas.

Booker was well known in South Dallas, where the city's black transgender community is concentrated. Funeral guests made custom shirts in honor of Booker, including Booker's cousin Charles Hart, seen here with his 1-year-old daughter.
Booker was well known in South Dallas, where the city's black transgender community is concentrated. Funeral guests made custom shirts in honor of Booker, including Booker's cousin Charles Hart, seen here with his 1-year-old daughter.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Booker's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, one of the country's largest LGBTQ congregations, located near North Dallas' predominantly white gayborhood, Oak Lawn.
Booker's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, one of the country's largest LGBTQ congregations, located near North Dallas' predominantly white gayborhood, Oak Lawn.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Transgender women of color saw themselves in Booker, knowing they could have faced a similar fate. Some people who attended the funeral never met her, but nonetheless considered a sister.
Transgender women of color saw themselves in Booker, knowing they could have faced a similar fate. Some people who attended the funeral never met her, but nonetheless considered a sister.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Booker's mother, Stephanie Houston, oversaw nearly every detail of the funeral. She dubbed the service "story time" after the name Booker used for the Facebook lives that made her popular in South Dallas. "She would talk a lot of noise," said Robyn Crowe, who took in Booker as one of her "grandbabies." But in real life, she was warm and funny, Crowe said. "She was full of love."
Booker's mother, Stephanie Houston, oversaw nearly every detail of the funeral. She dubbed the service "story time" after the name Booker used for the Facebook lives that made her popular in South Dallas. "She would talk a lot of noise," said Robyn Crowe, who took in Booker as one of her "grandbabies." But in real life, she was warm and funny, Crowe said. "She was full of love."
Allison V. Smith for CNN
The funeral program included recent photos of Booker and pictures of her before she transitioned, in what an organizer called a "compromise" for the family.
The funeral program included recent photos of Booker and pictures of her before she transitioned, in what an organizer called a "compromise" for the family.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
The presence of the mayor, along with faith leaders and prominent members of the LGBTQ community in Dallas, signaled that this was no ordinary funeral. Members of the Texas House of Representatives and state Sen. Royce West contributed statements and proclamations mourning her death and condemning the violence that befell her. But activists say they need actions behind those words to prevent another transgender woman of color from dying.
The presence of the mayor, along with faith leaders and prominent members of the LGBTQ community in Dallas, signaled that this was no ordinary funeral. Members of the Texas House of Representatives and state Sen. Royce West contributed statements and proclamations mourning her death and condemning the violence that befell her. But activists say they need actions behind those words to prevent another transgender woman of color from dying.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Family filled the first few pews, both blood relatives and "extended family," including men described in the program as "father figures." "When I couldn't see eye to eye with my baby, they filled the gap," Houston said. "I know what you did for me and I thank God for that."
Family filled the first few pews, both blood relatives and "extended family," including men described in the program as "father figures." "When I couldn't see eye to eye with my baby, they filled the gap," Houston said. "I know what you did for me and I thank God for that."
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Blue and white were the colors of the funeral. Houston's mother said they were her favorite colors, but someone else said her favorite color was pink. Guests wore blue and white, and Booker's blue casket matched her bejeweled dress.
Blue and white were the colors of the funeral. Houston's mother said they were her favorite colors, but someone else said her favorite color was pink. Guests wore blue and white, and Booker's blue casket matched her bejeweled dress.
Allison V. Smith for CNN
Houston and others described Booker as courageous. "She was willing to die behind it," her mother said. "That's why it's well with my soul."
Houston and others described Booker as courageous. "She was willing to die behind it," her mother said. "That's why it's well with my soul."
Allison V. Smith for CNN