CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Family members, friends and fellow public servants celebrated the life of former West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood Monday at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston.

Underwood died last week at the age of 86. He was the state's youngest elected governor and oldest elected governor.

“I believe he is in a life where there is no pain, no sickness, no tears. And as he looks down today, Hovah is smilling. Cecil – his eyes are shining," Dr. Randall Flanagan, pastor of the church, said at the memorial service. Underwood's wife, Hovah, died four years ago due to complications from a stroke.

Underwood's grandson, Christopher Richardson, spoke of how he grew up thinking his granddad invented the word "mercy", because of his penchant for using the catch phrase.

Richardson said Underwood sat down with his family on Christmas Day in 1995 to get their feelings about a potential run for the governor's office. He said despite his winning the election, he was still an active grandfather.

“He was the same granddad we always knew," Christopher Richardson said.

Dr. F. Emerson Wood said Underwood was an active member of the church community, serving in various roles from Sunday school teacher to trustee.

Underwood's son, Craig, spoke fondly of his father's return to politics after forty years.

“I thought he was the greatest role model for working hard and beating the odds that anyone could ever imagine.”

But, Craig Underwood said he was more impressed by how his father overcame a stroke several years ago. After learning he would have to spend time in an assisted-living facility, Underwood worked five hours a day on physical therapy for three months to get back to health.

Craig Underwood said that his father donated money to several organizations and his body to medical research after his passing.

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin hosted the Underwood family at the governor's mansion Sunday evening.

Governor Manchin spoke at the memorial service and noted that many of the politicians at the service either ran with him or against him over the years.

"But through it all we were always friends and I think its speaks volumes of the person he was," Governor Joe Manchin said.

Manchin said Underwood epitomized class, but also had a tremendous sense of humor.