COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House has draped the desk of a member who died over the weekend in a black drape with a yellow rose.
Rep. Ronnie Young died Sunday. House Speaker Jay Lucas said he Republican from North Augusta had cancer and recently suffered a stroke.
Young spent 23 years as Aiken County Council chairman before reaching his goal of getting to the Statehouse in 2017.
Lucas went to Young's home Friday and gave the 71-year-old lawmaker the state's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto. Lucas says the room was full of friends and family.
Lucas, his voice catching, said Monday the House will miss Young's tender spirit and his smile.
Rep. Bill Hixon of North Augusta says Young made Aiken County the best county in the state.