COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — On Wednesday,  hundreds gathered to honor and celebrate the life of the late Republican Senator  Lindsey Olin Graham, who died at the age of 71 on July 11th after serving in the U.S. Senate for over 23 years. The day of remembrance began at the State House — and was fo llowed by a special service at First Baptist Church of Columbia. Graham’s remains were pulled by a horse drawn carriage in front of the North steps of the State House — as his sister, Senator Darline Graham, Governor Henry McMaster, and a number of other dignitaries looked on. Promptly at 11 a.m., an F-16 flyover was conducted by the 169th Fighter Wing out of the McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Graham’s remains were then taken to First Baptist Church of Columbia for his funeral service — beginning at noon. On arrival, the senator’s casket was marched up the steps into the church — his extended family following shortly behind. As the service began, Fox Friends Host Ainsley Earhardt and Congressman Jim Clyburn read scriptures. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever,” read Clyburn. Tributes were given by a number of local dignitaries. “I am confident there will never be another Lindsey Graham,” says Governor McMaster.  “I will miss my friend Lindsey Graham,” says U.S. Senator Tim Scott. Tributes also honored what loved ones refer to as Graham’s best quality — his sharp sense of humor. “Lindsey was at our wedding. I only invited three or four senators. And Lindsey was talking to this little kid named Case, and Case was in the arms of his parents, and Lindsey leaned in and said, ‘Case, I’m sorry bud…there will be no social security for you!” joked Senator Scott. “For those who were wondering why Lindsey Graham was never married, there’s not a chance in the world he would’ve made it through the wedding vows. Because he didn’t make it through Tim and Mindy’s. When the pastor got to for better or worse, Lindsey whispered to me like an F-5 tornado, ‘Like how sick are we talking about?'” joked Gowdy. “He called me one day when I was pastor of this church and said, ‘Wendell, do you want to play golf at Augusta National?’ And I said ‘You tell me the date and time and I’ll be there.’ He said, ‘Well, I’m looking at Easter Sunday,” joked Dr. Wendell Estep, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist. Following Wednesday’s service at first Baptist, Graham’s family attended a private burial ceremony. He was born on July 9th 1955 — passing away just two days after his 71st birthday. Categories: Local News, National News, News Tags: Funeral, Senator Lindsey Graham ...read more read less