Clementa Pinckney, among those killed in the Charleston church where he was the beloved pastor, has also been lauded for his service as a state senator.
A 19-year state legislator, Pinckney was among nine victims on Wednesday of a shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, one of the oldest US black churches.
He was 41. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Eliana and Malana.
"What stood out more than his big frame and booming voice was his astronomical heart he had for his fellow man," Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler said.
Just one year after graduating from Allen University in 1995, Pinckney became, at 23, the youngest African-American elected to the South Carolina Legislature.
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In 2000, he was elected to the state Senate.
Pinckney began preaching at the age of 13 and was first appointed pastor at 18. He was named pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2010, according to the state Democratic Party.
"He had a core not many of us have," said Senator Vincent Sheheen, who sat beside him in Senate chambers.
"I think of the irony that the most gentle of the 46 of us - the best of the 46 of us in this chamber - is the one who lost his life."
Senators walked into chambers together on Thursday and gathered at the podium for a prayer.
A vase of flowers sat on a black cloth draping Pinckney's desk.
The legislators watched a video of Pinckney speaking at the podium after a former North Charleston police officer was charged with murder for fatally shooting an unarmed black man.
Pinckney pushed for legislation helping law enforcement agencies statewide get body cameras.
Setzler called Pinckney's April 14 speech "probably his finest moment in the South Carolina Senate".
