(CNN)Clementa Pinckney died Wednesday doing the work he had always felt was right for him to do.
He was spreading the Biblical word when he and eight others were gunned down on Wednesday in the Emanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston South Carolina.
Pinckney who was 42 first answered the call to preach nearly 30 years ago at the age of 13 according to a biography on the church website.
And he was it appears a high achiever all his life. He was first appointed a pastor when he was 18. He graduated from Allen University magna cum laude of course. He had been president of the student body as well.
MUST WATCHEbony Magazine included him as one of its Top College Students in America.
Emanuel AME A storied church in a historic city
'Not cynical about politics'In 1996 at the age of 23 he was elected to the state House of Representatives the youngest black person ever elected to the the Legislature in South Carolina. Four years later at the age of 27 he was elected to the state Senate.
There the national recognition of his achievements continued. Washington Post columnist David Broder called Pinckney a political spirit lifter for surprisingly not becoming cynical about politics.
Pinckney's cousin state Sen. Kent Williams said the shooting was something he could never have imagined.
He was a man of character Williams said of Pinckney. He was a God fearing man. He was a family man.
He had a passion for helping the poor for helping to improve the quality of life for all mankind Williams said. But especially those who are the least among us.
Pinckney left a wife Jennifer and two children Eliana and Malana.
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