Pallbearers carry the casket of Abby Tyler, 15, out of Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday afternoon following a combined funeral service attended by hundreds of people. Stephen Tyler, 48, and his daughter Abby were found shot inside the family's East Frederick Street business, the Tyler Home Center, on July 2. He died at the scene while Abby died two days later. The same person responsible for their deaths was linked to three others and killed in a shootout with police. (Ledger photo / TIM GULLA) Mourners filed in one by one to Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday as two hearses were parked outside.

The last two of the five victims of a killing spree that shook Cherokee County and Gaffney were being laid to rest.

Among the hundreds who showed up was Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Bill James, who came to pay his respects to one of his students and her family.

"I don't think any educator can describe for you how hard it is when we lose children," he said. "(But) It's a difficult time for everybody."

Mourners' vehicles filled practically every parking lot around the Cherokee Avenue church. The procession that would take Stephen Tyler, 48, and his daughter, Abby, 15, to Frederick Memorial Gardens was dozens of cars long.

Gaffney Police stood at attention outside the church, and provided escort the entire way.

The ceremony led by Dr. Clyde Thomas was described by attendees as dignified and healing. "It put a tremendous light on the good this family (the Tyler family) has done for the community," one said.

It likely didn't answer many lingering questions, however.

Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton, who attended the service along with numerous other members of the task force that was assembled to hunt down the person responsible for all five deaths, knew well how hard the situation has been for the families.

"I don't think the families and friends will ever get over it," he said.

The man responsible for the five deaths, likely took answers to many lingering questions with him to the grave.