Hundreds mourn shooting victims

Associated Press

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.

A choir and band launched into one of Ethel Lance’s favorite gospel tunes and roused hundreds of mourners from their seats Thursday in a crescendo of music at the first funeral for victims of the massacre at a historic black church.

People stood to clap, nod and sway – some closing their eyes under the exertion of the cathartic singing. Ushers walked through the aisles with boxes of tissues for people to dab their tears. An organ, drums and bass guitar provided the rhythm.

The service was fitting for the 70-year-old Charleston native with “an infectious smile,” who served with vigor as an officer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the congregation’s interim pastor said.

“When it was time for the ushers to usher, she had the usher strut,” the Rev. Norvel Goff said. “When Sister Lance praised the Lord, you had to strap on your spiritual seat belt.”

Police officers stood guard and checked bags as mourners filed in.

Before the day’s second funeral, held for Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45, more than 100 members of Coleman-Singleton’s Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority formed a ring around the main part of the large sanctuary as part of an Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony. One by one, the women, clad all in white, filed past the open casket with green ivy leaves, then clasped hands and sang.

Authorities said Lance and Coleman-Singleton had welcomed Dylann Storm Roof, the 21-year-old white gunman, into their Bible study, where he sat among them for nearly an hour before opening fire.

Funerals for the other victims were set to happen over the next week, including one today for Emanuel’s lead pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, where President Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy.

A somber procession of mourners filed past Pinckney’s open casket during a viewing Thursday night at the Emanuel church. The state senator also had public viewings Thursday at a church in Ridgeland, S.C., and a day earlier in the state Capitol.