Funeral for Texas Juneteenth shooting victim held in Mansfield – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Family and loved ones gathered to honor the life of Lyndsey Vicknair and said their final goodbyes Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield.

Vicknair, who was fatally shot at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock last weekend, was from Mansfield.

“We are not here because Lyndsey died, we are here because Lyndsey lived,” said a church member who began the funeral Saturday.

Those close to her spoke about that life, saying the 33-year-old was an attentive wife and mother of three young children: Kenzi, 7, Kairo, 4, and Kya, 1.

“Kenzi, Kairo and Kya knew the meaning of integrity, even at their young ages, because it was modeled and instilled in them. Lyndsey showed them what love is, what God’s love is,” said Kevin Vicknair, Sr., her stepfather.

“I can’t imagine a more caring, wonderful, loving mother to my grandchildren,” he added.

Vicknair, Sr., said his daughter-in-law brought out the best in his son.

“Lyndsey the woman. Lyndsey the woman. That’s where Lyndsey had to use every tool in her toolbox,” Vicknair Sr. joked.

Vicknair's close friend, Gloria Glover, said Vicknair was a selfless friend who helped her through law school, her bar exam and early motherhood.

“Lyndsey said: “My lease is almost up. I just signed a lease on your apartment, so I’m just going to walk through the breezeway so you can take a nap and take a shower,” Glover recalled.

“It was Lyndsey and her mother who looked after my child for three days while I took the bar and ultimately passed,” she added.

Vicknair was an active attorney involved in several associations, including the Austin Young Lawyers Association, the Austin Bar Association, and the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas.

However, those close to her said she always made time for her community, organizing fundraisers and food drives and instilling a love of service in her children.

Pastor Michael Evans, Sr., remembers a phone call from Vicknair shortly before his daughter's birthday.

“I have to teach Kenzi a lesson, I want to make sure she becomes a giving person… Therefore, on her birthday, I want her to give gifts, instead of receiving them. So , help me know what the pantry needs, help me know what someone in the community needs, and me and my baby, we're going to bring gifts,” Evans said.

The church where Vicknair was baptized became a place for her final goodbyes, but also a reminder to focus not on her death, but on the life she lived, which keeps on giving.

“Don’t confuse the end of Lyndsey’s chapter with the end of this story. If you just look at the plot of this story, you will find the characters for the next chapter in Kenzi, Kairo, and Kya. Lyndsey’s legacy lives on,” said another church member.

Round Rock police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the shooting that left Vicknair and another dead and injured more than a dozen others.

Police said they expect more arrests and charges.