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Sen. Vernon Malone of Wake County died Saturday, according to the N+O. He was 77.

Update: This statement came from Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight:

“It is hard to put into words how much Vernon Malone meant to the North Carolina Senate, and to everyone who knew him. He had prepared himself for service early in life and he believed in a better opportunity for all. He was a man for all people and a man of integrity and he did not just seek to help those people with talents, he loved all people. He was such a big man in the way he lived his life – the concern, the love and compassion he had for people was special.

I can think of no one, nowhere in this state who meets the description of what Vernon was as a person. He was a wonderful friend to me and a real leader in the Senate, and I will miss him a great deal. What I knew of him as a person, not to mention the contributions he has made throughout his life, cannot be replaced. It is a huge loss, not just for the people of his Senate district, but for all the people of North Carolina.”

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton has issued this statement:

“The Senate, the people of Wake County and the State have lost a great advocate for education and for the future of our State. Throughout his life, Senator Malone was committed to public service and to making our State a better place. I am honored and proud to have served alongside Vernon Malone in the Senate, and the prayers of the entire State are with his family during this time of great loss.”

I don't have any other details and hadn't heard that he was sick. In fact, Sen. Malone cast votes on the Senate floor Thursday.

Update: The following is from the Associated Press:

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State Sen. Vernon Malone has died of natural causes at his home in Raleigh. He was 77.

Malone's son Rod said his father died Saturday morning.

The Democrat served most recently as co-chairman of the education budget subcommittee and had represented District 14 in the General Assembly for four terms.

The Shaw University graduate held public offices in Wake County over three decades. As school board chairman, he presided over the merger of Raleigh city schools and Wake County public schools in 1976.

He served as a Wake County commissioner from 1984 until his election to the Senate in 2002.

Details for a memorial service are not yet set.

More from WRAL here.

Update: The following came from Gov. Bev Perdue:

“Vernon Malone was one of my closest personal friends and was a powerful voice for North Carolina’s future. He fundamentally believed that every kid should have a shot at success, regardless of their background and dedicated his life to making that belief a reality.”