Hundreds attend 1st funerals for church shooting victims

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 as an organ, drums and bass guitar played along.

The service was fitting for the 70-year-old Charleston native with "an infectious smile." She served with vigor as an officer at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, said the church's interim leader, the Rev. Norvel Goff.

"When it was time for the ushers to usher, she had the usher strut," 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 for the funeral, which was held as the debate over the Confederate flag and other Old South symbols continued.

A monument to former Confederate President Jefferson Davis had the phrase "Black Lives Matter" spray-painted on it Thursday in Richmond, Virginia, the latest of several monuments to be defaced around the country.

Lance and eight other Emanuel church members were killed when police say a gunman walked into a Bible study June 17 and opened fire in a racially motived attack.

Lance served as a sexton at Emanuel for the last five years, helping keep the historic building clean, and she loved gospel music. She had five children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"I want my grandmother's legacy to be what she stood for," granddaughter Aja Risher said. "She is going to be a catalyst for change in this country."

Services for Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45, were held Thursday afternoon, and funerals for the other victims were set to happen over the next week, including one today for the church pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney.

Boyd Young, who represents accused gunman Dylann Storm Roof's family, issued a statement on their behalf, saying they would answer questions later but wanted to allow the victims' families to grieve.