CLOSE ADVISOR TO STROM THURMOND DIED MONDAY

Political leaders and well-respected officials from across South Carolina will gather Wednesday to remember Sen. Strom Thurmond’s closest advisor.

Warren Abernathy of Spartanburg died Monday at the age of 85. He had worked alongside Thurmond for more than 45 years and won the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolin’s highest civilian honor.

“I was sad to learn of the death of Mr. Abernathy,” said Sen. Jim DeMint. “During his many years working for the people of South Carolina on behalf of Senator Thurmond, he epitomized the first class constituent service that Strom’s office was known for not just in our state, but across the nation. Mr. Abernathy was a great man and will be missed.”

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church. Abernathy will be buried with full military honors in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg.