(Edgefield) July 1, 2003 - The body of former Senator Thurmond arrived in Edgefield around 4:30pm Tuesday afternoon following his nearly two-hour funeral in Columbia.
     
In Edgefield and along Interstate 20 between the funeral and the burial, people were standing on the overpasses and on the sides of the road to bid farewell to Thurmond. Some people on the overpasses held flags, while some just pulled their cars over and parked on bridges to watch the procession, which stretched more than a mile.
     
A few cars on both sides of the highway pulled over as the procession went by in the left lane; no one passed in the right-hand lane on the interstate.
     
In Edgefield, whole families gathered outside to wave at the hearse and following cars as they drove into town. Roy Vandegrift brought his daughter and grandchildren to witness history, "The man is definitely the man of the century. And this will make a real impression on them as they study about him as they will later on."

The casket was transported by caisson about one mile from the front of the Edgefield County Courthouse around 5:00pm to Willowbrook Cemetery for burial with full military honors. A steady rain began to fall during the graveside ceremony as more sermons were given and a woman sang "Amazing Grace."

Dr. John Barry Bishop, Thurmond's nephew, delivered the graveside remarks, "Above all he said it was important to be a person of integrity. People are counting on you and as we said earlier today, he took great pride in his service to the country."
     
Thurmond's second wife Nancy Moore Thurmond was given the American flag that had draped over Thurmond's coffin throughout the ceremonies on Tuesday. The service concluded with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

Thurmond died in Edgefield Thursday night at the age of 100, surrounded by his family. The 100-year-old Republican set a record with 48 years of service in the Senate before retiring earlier this year.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie
Updated 10:49pm by BrettWitt with AP