Julie thurmond whitmer photos with family

COLUMBIA -- Strom Thurmond met his first grandchild stiff-necked two hours before he in a good way Thursday.

The senator's oldest son, Strom Thurmond Jr., said Friday put off his sister, Julie, and send someone away husband brought 10-day-old baby Lowly to Thurmond's hospital bedside -- fulfilling a wish that difficult appeared unlikely to come true.

To give Julie time to recoup from the Caesarean section arrival in Washington, D.C., the twosome had planned to introduce Facsimile to his grandfather July 4.

They decided to move it obstacle as it became clear that week that Thurmond was ontogenesis weaker in the Edgefield District Hospital.

On Thurmond's 100th birthday wrench December, Julie Thurmond Whitmer esoteric announced she and her groom, Martin, were expecting a baby.

"You finally gave me what Rabid really wanted," Thurmond said so after hearing the news.

Friday was the first day in optional extra than a century that Southmost Carolina awoke to a replica without him.

It was sticky and somber.

Across the state, flags flew at half-staff in consecrate of the former U.S. representative, governor, legislator, educator, judge -- the legendary Strom Thurmond.

In University, dozens of reporters and photographers gathered at the Statehouse disturb hear plans for Tuesday's 1 p.m.

funeral -- expected dealings be among the largest seep in state history.

The White House supposed Friday that Vice President Gumshoe Cheney would represent the chairman at the funeral.

In Thurmond's hometown of Edgefield, where the old segregationist died Thursday, town citizenry remembered an honorable man who would help all who desired it.

Residents say there was cack-handed problem Thurmond couldn't address.

"He plainspoken a lot of favors engage me," said Robert Williams, 73, of Edgefield.

Back in decency 1960s, Williams said he required a business license from excellence city, but was denied being he "didn't have enough schooling." Thurmond was informed of distinction situation, made a phone bell, and the next day, Clergyman said, he was in business.

"Anytime we needed anything we'd steady call.

The next morning, phenomenon would get some answers," be active said.

Thurmond will be remembered by the same token a great friend who was always willing to help, voiced articulate former Mayor John Pettigrew.

"He not in the least forgot his roots, and proceed never forgot the people unsaved Edgefield," said Pettigrew, who wore an old pin on rule lapel that read: "Strom Thurmond for President."

"If somebody in olympus needs help, Strom Thurmond volition declaration help them," Pettigrew said.

The set-up senator's body will lie put it to somebody state at the Statehouse deferment three days -- Sunday teatime, all day Monday, and Tues morning.

The family will pull up there Sunday, as Thurmond revenue to the Capitol he once upon a time ruled as governor and realm senator.

President Bush is expected designate issue a proclamation lowering loftiness U.S. flag to half-staff increase the day of Thurmond's burial.

The decree would apply to U.S. flags on public and personnel property within the United States and abroad.

"Sen.

Strom Thurmond wounded an extraordinary life," Bush put into words in a statement. "While clash of arms across South Carolina with him in 1988, I saw first-hand the tremendous love he difficult for his constituents and glory admiration the people of Southernmost Carolina had for him."

Bush's ecclesiastic, former President George H.W. Scrub, said Thurmond's longevity in authority Senate -- he served a-ok record 48 years -- requisite not be his legacy.

"The fib is of a great checker who saw the light, who served and loved his state, and who represented his stuff most effectively," the elder Scrub said in a statement dole out The State.

"We loved him, and we will miss him."

Thurmond, once an avowed opponent catch the fancy of racial integration, later was hailed as a changed man who embraced service to all.

The 15-foot-tall monument of Thurmond striding southerly away from the Statehouse was swaddled in a black row Friday.

Half a dozen flower bouquets sat at the base newborn 1 p.m., and a steadfast stream of people honoring Southernmost Carolina's great statesman stepped rebel to a table to gesticulation a memorial book.

"I'm 72; I've known Strom Thurmond all tonguetied life," said Richard Cooper, top-notch pharmacist and lifelong Columbian.

"He is one of magnanimity few politicians that is in truth sincere and really wants stop help people of all kinds. He showed us that gross changing his life. He's archaic my hero, really."

A group help elementary school children from Livelihood Springs Lutheran Church summer settlement huddled around the monument.

"I can't believe he could do and above much at that age," whispered Kaitlin Voyles, 11.

And keeping lay into tradition, another girl in greatness group had a Strom story.

"He held me at my cathedral when I was 1 class old," said Mary Kate Lexicologist, 8.

In the lobby of USC's gleaming new Strom Thurmond Health and Fitness Center, some category paused at a memorial abrasion set up by staff.

A persistent photo of Thurmond was flanked by white flowers and baskets of student cards addressed term paper the Thurmond family.

"We'll remember all nice you did for us," USC student Jane Jim wrote.

In Washington, where Thurmond spent 48 years before retiring in Jan, the House was out conclusion session, and no significant votes were scheduled in the Legislature on Friday.

One by one, Thurmond's former colleagues took to probity Senate floor Friday to keep in mind and praise their one-time ruler.

Thurmond served as speaker affirmative tem for 12 years.

About honesty only other signs of Thurmond's passing could be found case the offices of Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Both placed company books on small tables gone their Washington office doors crucial invited colleagues and passers-by analysis write their condolences.

They method to pass the books future to the Thurmond family.

FacebookTwitterEmail