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Mourners Grieve at More Services for Charleston Victims


Mourners wait in line to attend the funeral of Cynthia Hurd, 54, at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where she was killed June 17 along with eight others, June 27, 2015.
Mourners wait in line to attend the funeral of Cynthia Hurd, 54, at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where she was killed June 17 along with eight others, June 27, 2015.

Mourners from the city of Charleston, South Carolina, and beyond gathered Saturday for funerals of three more victims of the mass shooting last week at a historic African-American church in the city.

Services at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were first held for Cynthia Hurd, 54, one of nine people shot dead June 17 by a lone gunman during a Bible study. Saturday's attendees included South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott and Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley.

"Her death will lead to change and Cynthia Hurd will be helping millions," Riley said in his eulogy to the longtime librarian and church activist.

Haley also addressed the grieving audience. "I am sorry this happened on my watch," she said. "But we will make it right."

Services for Tywanza Sanders, 26, and Susie Jackson, 87, were set for later in the day.

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The funerals came one day after President Barack Obama eulogized another victim, church Pastor Clementa Pinckney. Obama, in a moving tribute, called the slain pastor a visionary who embodied openness and grace.

In his eulogy, seen by millions around the globe, the president also addressed America's historic and ongoing struggle with race relations and gun violence.

Jennifer Pinckney accepts a rose at the burial of her husband, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, at the St James AME Church Cemetery in Marion, South Carolina, June 26, 2015.
Jennifer Pinckney accepts a rose at the burial of her husband, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, at the St James AME Church Cemetery in Marion, South Carolina, June 26, 2015.

He mentioned the gunman, Dylann Roof, 21, saying Roof had been "blinded by hatred [and] failed to comprehend what Reverend Pinckney so well understood: the power of God's Grace."

The theme of grace dominated the 35-minute eulogy, which commentators continue to describe as the most powerful address of Obama's presidency.

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