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In Honor of the Victims
Last edited Fri Jun 19, 2015, 09:43 AM - Edit history (2)
Pinckney was a pastor at Emanuel AME and began preaching in the church in his teens. The 41-year-old married father of two also served in the South Carolina Senate and was at one time the youngest member of the state House when he was first elected at 23.
State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney was among the nine victims of a shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17. Allen University
"Senator Pinckney was a brilliant young pastor and leader who always possessed an empowering and healing message," his alma mater, Allen University in Columbia, said in a statement.
Several witnesses remembered Pinckney for his dedication to helping others.
"He was a sweet person," said community member Lisa Doctor. "He was just a kind-hearted man."
Tywanza Sanders
Sanders, 26, was also a graduate of Allen University. He earned a degree in business administration last year.
The university remembered him as "a quiet, well known student who was committed to his education. He presented a warm and helpful spirit as he interacted with his colleagues."
Nai Chaganty, a college friend of Sanders, said she first met him when she dropped her wallet on the street and chased her to return it.
After they became friends, Chaganty said Sanders was there for her when she had a car accident driving from Virginia to see her husband. He helped her "hold onto faith" as she questioned God about what happened, she told NBC News.
"He would give you the clothes off his back," Chaganty said as she teared up. "He is a great person."
Cynthia Hurd
Hurd, 54, was an employee of the Charleston County Public Library for three decades, most recently working as the manager at St. Andrews Regional Library.
Cynthia Hurd was among the nine victims of a shooting a church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17. Charleston County Public Library
"It is unimaginable that she would walk into church and not return," Hurd's brother, former North Carolina state Sen. Malcolm Graham, said in a statement. "But that's who she was — a woman of faith. This is a very difficult time for our family, and Cynthia will be sorely missed."
All of the county's 16 branches were closed Thursday in her honor, and Charleston County Council member Elliott Summey said the St. Andrews library would be renamed the Cynthia Hurd Regional Library.
"We think that's a fitting honor for her, for someone who spent 31 years in our community, and it's the very least we can do for someone who was a true public servant," he said.
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton
Coleman-Singleton, 49, was a speech therapist and girls' track and field coach at Goose Creek High School in suburban Charlotte.
Her son, Chris Singleton, is a sophomore at Charleston Southern University, the school said in a statement.
"Chris's mother was just that parent that as a coach you are proud to have as part of your program," head coach Stuart Lake said. "What she brought to our team is immeasurable.".
The Rev. Depayne Middleton Doctor
Doctor, 49, was a church singer and former Charleston County community development block grant employee, retiring in 2005.
Doctor was a big part of the county's services for the poor, Summey said, helping to "fix roofs, and we help them with septic tanks and we do the human things that government's supposed to do."
"So in a very big way, she was doing very human, kindly things in our government for others," Summey said.
Susie Jackson, 87, a longtime church member.
My grandma was very involved in the church,” said Tim Jackson, grandson of Susie Jackson.
Susie Jackson was one of the nine people shot and killed at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina Wednesday night.
“She was just a very caring, loving person,” Tim Jackson said, as he sat on his front porch clinging tight to a picture of his grandmother.
He said she had just visited his home here two weeks ago.
“She left birthday cards for my kids saying she wanted them to have them just in case she didn’t see them again,” Jackson recalled.
http://fox8.com/2015/06/18/local-family-mourns-87-year-old-woman-killed-in-charleston-church-shooting/
Ethel Lance, 70, a sexton at the church.
Ethel Lance loved to dress up and take her family to see performances at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium when she wasn’t on duty there as a custodian.
She started working at the venue in 1968 when it first opened, and she stayed until retirement in 2002, according to Cam Patterson, director of special facilities for the city of Charleston, who worked with Lance at the Gaillard for many years.
Patterson said Lance was not only a co-worker, but a friend.
“She was funny and a pleasure to be around. And she was a wonderful mother and grandmother,” Patterson said. “She would have her children and grandchildren come to the Gaillard from time to time. She was like me, a no-nonsense grandmother and I know they are going to miss her terribly.”
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150618/PC16/150619365
Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74, a member of the church's ministerial staff, who died in the operating room at the hospital
(Not the clearest picture but the only one I can find so far)
Myra Thompson, 59, wife of the vicar of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church.
Most of the above came from this story http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-church-shooting-tributes-paid-kind-hearted-victims-n377551
The victims that didn't have any real tribute in that link, I added what I was able to find. Unfortunately, not much is out there yet on a couple.
My heartfelt sympathy to each family member and friend of these martyrs. They truly are martyrs.
End racism
Black Lives MATTER (Why does this even need to be said? !)
On a personal note, the thing I cannot stop thinking about is the 5 year old child, playing dead, among the dead, so that s/he could live. What kind of monster does this to peace loving people and a 5 year old child?
We cannot allow this to ever happen again.
Added - ways to donate:
Thanks to Jefferson23 for this information I'm reply#43
Mother Emanuel Hope Fund
C/O City of Charleston
P.O. Box 304
Charleston, SC 29402
Click here (still being set up)
Directly to the Church
Click here
61 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Real people, real lives.
Bright lights, snuffed suddenly and terribly.
So awful.
Real people.
Peace
So so sad. 
Thanks for posting this Mary, you are the best.
Nine wonderful human lives lost and all those devastated by it left to suffer forever - just so senseless and horrific. I'm so sorry.
What a waste, what a tragedy.
These were some very good people.
Yes, they do.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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We need to see these people and learn who they were to truly understand what we've lost. Important and precious lives, each and every one...
destroyed the stereotype of lazy black people.
Meanwhile the racist punk failed 9th grade.
How does anyone look in the eye of an 87 year old woman and kill her.
Shakes head
The families of the victims have taught me so much about grace, love and forgiveness. I am a reluctant agnostic, but their faith leaves me in awe.
Peace and healing to them all.
