A standing-room only crowd filled Martin Street Baptist Church for an upbeat goodbye honoring Sen. Vernon Malone.

The teacher turned politician never forgot his history.

Speakers agreed Malone dedicated his life to education, beginning as a teacher and eventually superintendent for The Governor Morehead School for the Blind.

But perhaps he is best known as Wake County's first School Board Chairman.

He oversaw the contentious merger of Raleigh city and Wake County schools.

"Those were tough times. He was the right man for the job," recalled Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker.

Malone's colleagues in the General Assembly filled one-third of the pews.

"Education was his deepest love and concern. He realized without education children had no opportunity, no future," said Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, (D) Dare County.

Basnight promised Malone's goals and wishes would be carried out by lawmakers.

Gov. Bev Perdue recalled the path he paved for integration, job opportunities and safe neighborhoods.

"He'd remind us of what we could do for other people," said Perdue, "stand up and speak out for justice."

After mowing his lawn Saturday, Malone sat down to read the newspaper and passed away.

Friends vowed to continue his legacy.

"He saw people as people, a trailblazer. The pioneer who established a wonderful positive tone for what we should aspire to be: a colorblind society," said Sen. Floyd McKissick, (D) Durham County.

The Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Representative Alma Adams, (D) Guilford County, chimed in.

"He was a man for the people; he was about the people, particularly for children and those who didn't have an opportunity to speak for themselves. He spoke for them."

The North Carolina Highway Patrol Caisson unit carried the flag draped coffin past the state capitol, an honor given to deceased incumbents of the legislature.

Vernon Malone was 77-years-old.

To hear the Governor's entire tribute and watch our broadcast story, click on the video above.