Almost two weeks later, funerals have been planned and held for the nine victims of the shooting at Emanuel A.M..E Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A CNN report provides a closer look at the nine people lost that Wednesday night.
CYNTHIA HURD
Cynthia Hurd, 54, worked at the Charleston County Public Library for 31 years. There she helped residents, “making sure they had every opportunity for an education and personal growth,” library officials said.
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SUSIE JACKSON
Susie Jackson, 87, liked to sing in the choir at the church where she had been a member for many years, her grandson told CNN affiliate WEWS. Tim Jackson said his grandmother was a "very helpful person" and was a giver with a great smile.
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ETHEL LANCE
Ethel Lance was a city worker for 34 years. Until 2002, her dominion was the Gaillard Auditorium, where she ran the operations backstage, said Cam Patterson, Charleston's director of special facilities. Lance was a wonderful employee and person, Patterson said.
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REV. DEPAYNE MIDDLETON-DOCTOR
Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor was “always a warm and enthusiastic leader,” who was an admissions coordinator at the Charleston learning center of Southern Wesleyan University. "DePayne truly believed in the mission of SWU to help students achieve their potential by connecting faith with learning," university President Todd Voss said. Middleton-Doctor was also an alumna of the school, having received a master’s in management in 1994.
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REV. CLEMENTA PINCKNEY
The Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney was the beloved and well-respected pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Pinckney, 41, served God and the people as a pastor for 23 years, and as a South Carolina legislator for 19.
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TYWANZA SANDERS
Tywanza Sanders was a 26-year-old who recently graduated from Allen University in Columbia with a Business Administration degree. The South Carolina school called him a quiet, yet well-known student, committed to his education.
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REV. DANIEL SIMMONS SR.
Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr. was on the staff at Emanuel A.M.E. and regularly attended the Wednesday night Bible study sessions. The 74-year-old survived the initial shooting at the church, but died during surgery. Earlier in his career, Simmons served at Greater Zion A.M.E. Church in Awendaw, just northeast of Charleston.
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REV. SHARONDA SINGLETON
Rev. Sharonda Singleton was a speech coach and a track coach at Goose Creek High School in South Carolina. The 45-year-old was married with one son.
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MYRA THOMPSON
Myra Thompson, 59, was a woman who loved the Lord, said Bishop Alphonza Gadsden, a longtime friend. Thompson was teaching Bible study when she was shot and killed.