Rest Their Souls: Funeral Services Begin For The Victims Of The Emanuel AME Church Shooting

Source: Jim Watson / Getty

It’s been a little over a week since the horrific shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC at the hands of Dylann Roof. As our hearts are still in mourning over the victims, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Ethel Lance, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Myra Thompson, Daniel Lee Simmons, Susie Jackson and Cynthia Hurd, who lost their lives to such senseless and racist violence, we’re delighted to see that their lives are being celebrated.

The nine victims–Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Ethel Lance, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Myra Thompson, Daniel Lee Simmons, Susie Jackson and Cynthia Hurd will be held as follows:

Rev. Clementa Pinckney:

Pinckney’s funeral will be at the Emanuel AME Church, as it was a second home him. President Obama will give the eulogy at a service for Mr. Pinckney at TD Arena on Friday. Pinckney’s body was brought to the South Carolina Sate House rotunda in Columbia earlier this week so that the public could pay their respects to him. As his coffin was carried up the steps, people sang, “We Shall Overcome,” an eerie reminder that we still have so much more to overcome.

Ethel Lance:

There was a viewing at 6 p.m. and family visitation from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Ethel’s funeral will also be held in North Charleston, SC at Royal Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday June 25. The 70-year-old was the heart of her family and worked as a custodian to the church for 30 years. She’s the first victim to be buried.

Sharonda Coleman-Singleton:

Singleton’s funeral will be held at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in North Charleston, SC on Thursday June 27.  A viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., immediately followed by an Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony. Funeral services start at the church at 2 p.m., according to Murray’s Mortuary in North Charleston. The 45-year-old was a speech therapist, girls track team coach and doting mother to her son, Chris Singleton.

Tywanza Sanders:

Sanders’ funeral will be on Saturday June 27 at Emanuel AME Church. Sanders was the youngest victim at 26 and he tried to talk Roof into surrendering and he also tried to save him aunt, Susie Jackson, by jumping into the line of fire. Sanders called himself a poet, artist and businessman. Hours before the shooting, he put up his final post, a meme with a quote from Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

Susie Jackson:

Susie was the oldest victim at 87-years-old. Her wake will be held on Friday June 26 from 5-6:30 at Emanuel AME Church and her funeral services will be held on Saturday June 27 at Emanuel AME Church.

Cynthia Hurd:

Cynthia was an extremely loved librarian who was a long-time member of Emanuel AME Church. Her wake will be 8:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Emanuel AME Church and her funeral will also be held there at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 27, as it was like home to her. The 54-year-old’s funeral will be on Saturday June 27. The county’s library branches will close Saturday to allow employees to attend her service.

DePayne Middleton-Doctor:

Doctor is the mother of Gracyn, Kaylin, Hali and Czana Doctor and the beloved daughter of Rev. Leroy and Frances Middleton. The visitation for DePayne Middleton-Doctor will be held Friday June 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Mark AME Church, according to the Palmetto Mortuary. Middleton-Doctor’s funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday June 28  at Emanuel AME and a burial service will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens in Charleston.

Myra Thompson:

A public visitation for Myra Thompson is scheduled for Sunday June 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Emanuel AME Church, with the family receiving friends at 6 p.m., according to The Palmetto Mortuary. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Emanuel AME Church.

Daniel Lee Simmons:

Daniel Simmons will be remembered in ceremonies in both Charleston and Columbia. A viewing will be held on June 30 at Greater St. Luke AME Church at 11 a.m. A service will follow at noon. On July 1, a wake will be held at Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia. The wake will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Taylor Street Chapel. On July 2, a viewing and service will be held at Bethel AME Church. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. and the service will follow at 11 a.m.
May God rest these beautiful souls.