WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Longtime federal judge and civil rights pioneer Matthew Perry Jr. is being laid to rest.

Funeral services are being held Thursday in West Columbia for Perry who died last weekend at his home just a few days short of his 90th birthday.

The flag at the Statehouse in Columbia is being flown at half-staff in honor of Perry today.

Perry spent decades as a civil rights lawyer in the state and, in 1975, became the first black federal court judge in South  Carolina.

The funeral will take place at Brookland Baptist Church. Perry will be buried following the service at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia.