After a four-month custody battle, famed actor Sherman Hemsley was laid to rest Wednesday.

Those who loved Hemsley celebrated his life and the legacy he left behind. 

It was a long road for Hemsley after his death. He had named beloved friend and manager Flora Enchinton the executor of his will and estate. However, an estranged half-brother from Philadelphia contested the will, which led to a four-month-long legal dispute over custody of the actor's remains.

"Today is closure. Finally, closure knowing the right thing happened. This is what he wanted. I heard this from him and nobody else. He told me El Paso was his home. He loved El Paso and Flora was his family," said friend Robert Almonte a U.S. marshal. "It's unfortunate that it took four months to finally let him rest in peace," said Almonte.

Hemsley made a career on the small screen. He is probably best known as the wisecracking, fast-talking, funny-walking George Jefferson on the hit TV show "The Jeffersons." Hemsley died of lung cancer on July 24. 

During the legal battle, Hemsley's body was stored at San Jose Funeral Home in East El Paso.

On Nov. 9, Judge Patricia Chew announced Bernal as executor of his will and gave her rights to his remains.
"This is what he wanted, no doubt about it," said Almonte.

Wednesday, friends took Hemsley to his final resting place and said El Paso is where he belongs. 

"He fell in love with El Paso," said Almonte. Almonte recalled how Hemsley once said he was born in Philadelphia but El Paso was his home. "Now he gets to stay home," he said.

"He became a friend to El Paso. People loved him and he loved them back. I think that's what he really fell in love with," said Enchinton.  Friends and El Pasoans celebrated the actor's life at San Jose Funeral home with a visitation early Wednesday followed by a "Going Home" service at Cielo Vista Church. Police Chief Greg Allen served as one of the pallbearers carrying Hemsley's coffin, draped in the American Flag, into the church. Enchinton's attorney, Alexander O'Neill, also served as a pallbearer.

Hemsley's impeccable sense of comedic timing, unique style and exaggerated facial expressions set him apart and captivated audiences of every generation and every color. Some could argue his character George Jefferson personified the epitome of "swag" before the millennials who have popularized the trendy phrase, were even born. 

The actor's larger-than-life characters made millions laugh, but Enchinton said it was the real-life Sherman Hemsley's larger-than-life expression of love that people were drawn too.

"He was bigger than life and why was he bigger than life? Because he released that energy of love that he was born with and what he departed here with because he was nothing but love," Enchinton said.

Members from the community spoke of his generosity and how he was giving his time to help without asking for anything in return.  That includes Lisa Romero who attended the burial at Fort Bliss. She recalled how Hemsley helped put on a show to raise money for Glen Cove Elementary school, where she is a teacher. 

"He gave up his time to put on a show for us, so we could raise money for our school it was just a great success. I always appreciated him. I was part of his 'dance team' He was just a real good man and we are really going to miss him," said Romero.

For many across America, Hemsley's face was a familiar one. They welcomed him into their homes each week as the tuned into his popular sitcoms. Romero said her home was no exception. "I grew up with him in household, we just loved him," said Romero.  

Romero was also at Fort Bliss visiting her father's grave on Thanksgiving eve. "We came to visit my dad, and my dad was his biggest fan. It just so happened to be the same day," said Romero.

The comedian's work lives on. Laughter filled the church at Wednesday's service as a highlight reel from Hemsley's career played clips from his TV shows. 

"That walk of his, that little, crazy walk, oh I will never forget it because my husband loved that walk," Velia Camales of Central El Paso said with a laugh.

The actor was also a singer and a selection of his songs also were played, including the song "My Way" which talks about the end of a chapter, being proud of the way things were done and saying goodbye. The actor's rich smooth voice, echoed through the church. 

Hemsley was a member of the Air Force and received a burial with military honors at Fort Bliss cemetery. Members of the Air Force fired a gun salute and stood at attention as the sun peaked through the clouds as Taps played in the background. The Air Force presented Enchinton a folded flag. 
"It was beautiful, it was really dignified," said Enchinton. 

To conclude the ceremony, Enchinton released a dove. "I didn't know I was going to do that," she laughed. She pulled the bird in close and gave it a kiss before setting it free, while a drove of doves were released at the same time. The birds flocked together into the sky.

"Just releasing him and letting him go home. I have no words. I was very touched," said Enchinton.

The iconic star immortalized for millions of fans and lives on through his work.  "We are just happy that he is here in El Paso. We can come by and visit him," said Romero.

The actor left an imprint on the Sun City. "El Paso is going to miss him," said Almonte.

At the ceremony, Chaplin Sam Faraone said, "Death is not the end -- it's simply 'moving on up,'" which is a reference to "The Jefferson's" theme song.

As the curtain closes, Enchinton hopes people to remember the love the star shared. "He was just a kind, loving person. He wanted to give that love. He wanted all of us to give that love back. He just believed all of us should be brothers and sisters and love one another and give each other that love," said Enchinton.