By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
Loved ones and colleagues gathered Dec. 16 at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Auditorium to honor the life and legacy of Gregory Kenneth Turnipseed. He served with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) for 14 years.
“He was respectful, relatable, and had a great work ethic,” said BCDOT Director Veronica McBeth. “He was very knowledgeable and his coworkers would always talk about how educated he carried himself.”
Turnipseed and his family were presented with a resolution by Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen in honor of his work for the city.
“Gregory is someone who gave his entire life to the city of Baltimore. And it was a city that he loved,” said Cohen. “If we take nothing else from the service that he rendered to our city, it is that we elevate people like him who lived and died, serving others.”
Turnipseed, 71, died on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, of injuries sustained from a physical assault. The attack involved a 49-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter. Authorities confirmed that the dispute was over a parking space.
The commemoration featured classic hymns, prayers, poetry readings and a memory slideshow featuring the background music of “Silky Soul” by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
The Rev. J. Maurice White, Turnipseed’s son-in-law and husband of his eldest daughter, La’Cheryl White, officiated the service.
“We’d often talk and have debates. One that I’ll always remember is his stance on Kobe Bryant being a better basketball player than Micheal Jordan—which I’d disagree with,” said White. “When I’d ask my wife how he was doing, she’d say, ‘He said he loves his son-in-law very much. That you’re an amazing son-in-law.’ He knew that his daughter was left in good hands.”
(AFRO Photo / Kendra Bryant)
Turnipseed was a Baltimore native and a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and later Towson State College (now Towson University), from which he earned a degree in science and engineering. He upheld management careers with AT&T, Lucent Technologies and Western Electric. Turnipseed also served as the president of Oliver Recreation.
“Public service is a calling. There are so many people in this city who sacrifice every day to make this city better,” said Faith Leach, chief administrative officer of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office. “There are 13,000 people who get up every day to make this city better and Mr. Turnipseed was one of them. The mayor and all of the leaders in this city honor his sacrifice for our city.”
Turnipseed enjoyed fashion and home improvement projects like painting, restoring small furniture items, leather goods and landscaping. He took inspiration from Architectural Digest and designers Versace, Ralph Lauren and Burberry.
“Even as a little boy, he was, you know, he was always dressed cool,” said Wanda Howard, a childhood friend of Turnipseed.
Gregory’s family is honored to carry on the Turnipseed name.
“I thank God I was born into a family with such distinction and uniqueness beyond a name,” said Jarret “JT” Turnipseed, Gregory’s grandson. “I thank God that no matter the obstacles, my grandfather, my mother (La’Cheryl), knew how and taught me to push beyond that moment. Lord, I thank you that I can now demonstrate what has been constantly on display for me. They will not see a perfect man, but they will see one that has a rich heritage that must be upheld.”
“When I meet someone with the same last name as myself, I immediately look at them as a member of the family. It’s not a matter of if we’re related, but how,” said Danielle Turnipseed, cousin of Gregory. “We believe a place has been prepared, one that suits him perfectly. Greg, we understand your gift and the assignment, and we promise to leave things better than you found it.”
The attacker, Kiannah Bonaparte is facing first- and second-degree assault charges. The status of her daughter’s charges have not been revealed.
“Parents, we need to teach our children compassion, not cruelty. We need to teach our children kindness, not violence,” said Cohen. “Because this is the world that Gregory Turnipseed sought to see. We deserve to live in a Baltimore that is filled with love. A Baltimore where every single soul is treated with kindness and dignity.”
The Baltimore City Police Department did not respond to requests for comments prior to the publishing of this article.