Myra Singleton Thompson was 59 when she was killed during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on the evening of June 17, 2015. That same day she had received her license to preach. A retired teacher and school counselor, she held two master’s degrees from The Citadel and was active on the church’s trustee board; she was married to Reverend Anthony Thompson and was a devoted mother and grandmother.

A young white man later identified as Dylann Roof sat with the group for about an hour before opening fire, killing nine of the thirteen people present. Investigators concluded the attack was racially motivated. Roof was arrested the following day and charged in state and federal court. At his initial appearance Reverend Anthony Thompson addressed Roof and offered forgiveness.

If anyone who knew Myra’s work in the schools or her role at Emanuel can add detail about her life or that night, please share what you know.