(Cleveland) - The funeral for the 11th Imperial Avenue victim was held this morning at Providence Baptist Church on Kinsman Avenue.

Friends and family members celebrated the life of Diane Turner, who was actually the second deceased person found in Anthony Sowell's home, but was the last to be identified.


Diane Turner

At the center of the church, in front of the pulpit, was a white coffin with pink flowers on top. To the left was a large photo of Turner, who would have been 39 years old last month.

Preaching the eulogy was Pastor Rodney Maiden. He said the deaths of Turner and the 10 other victims were not God’s will, and that God was actually angry their lives were cut short.

Rev. Maiden stressed, the killings could have occurred in any neighborhood in Greater Cleveland because evil people exist everywhere.


Rev. Rodney Maiden

Maiden urged friends and family to not hide their anger and grief and to share their feelings and get them out. He also told the congregation not to be bitter or to let Anthony Sowell live "rent free" in their minds.

Maiden explained that churches can learn a lot from football. Like football players Christians huddle on Sundays, but athletes take it further, actually putting plays into action. He contends people of faith need leave their huddles and get active in the community to prevent another such tragedy from occurring.

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