In this Dec. 14, 2011, photo, Rep. Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis, talks in her Legislative Plaza office in Nashville, Tenn. DeBerry, 80, died from pancreatic cancer Sunday, July 28, 2013, in Memphis.MEMPHIS - Hundreds of people have filled a church in Memphis to remember the life of state Rep. Lois DeBerry, who died last weekend after a long bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 68.
WMC-TV reports DeBerry was a trailblazer, humanitarian, and civil rights activist who was remembered Saturday during a legacy celebration for her character and dedication.
DeBerry was the longest-serving member of the state House of Representatives. She also was the second African-American woman to serve in the General Assembly and the first female speaker pro tempore in the House.
Speakers at her legacy service included U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, Gov. Bill Haslam and former Vice President Al Gore.
Gore said DeBerry will be remembered for her "constant determination and her commitment to make her city, her country, her world a better place."