Thousands Lined The Streets To Watch Billy Graham Come Home

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Yesterday the body Charlotte’s ‘Hometown Hero’ was transported from Asheville to the Billy Graham Library where he will eventually be buried next to the body of his wife, Ruth Graham.

At about 11:25 a.m., the motorcade left the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville and traveled East on I-40 to Hickory, South on 321 to Gastonia, then North on I-85 to Charlotte.

Thousands lined the entire route along the highways and city streets;

The mood in Uptown Charlotte was extremely somber.

Many were in tears as the motorcade approached, and one man started playing his guitar and leading the crowd in one of Billy’s favorite songs, “Amazing Grace”.

Hundreds more parked their cars and stood in honor as the motorcade made its way down Billy Graham Parkway to the grounds of the Billy Graham Library;

Franklin Graham then led other family members behind the casket as it was brought inside to the Graham family’s original dairy farm home (reconstructed from its original location off Park Rd).

On Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26-27, Dr. Graham’s body will lie in repose on the grounds of The Billy Graham Library for public viewing (the casket will remain closed). Public viewing times will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

There will be no on-site public parking for these two days. All public parking will be accommodated at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center located at 7100 Forest Point Blvd., and at the Charlotte Business Valet, Lot 2 at 5613 Wilkinson Blvd. Complimentary public shuttle buses will run continually from these lots to and from the Graham Family Homeplace. The last shuttle will depart the parking lot 30 minutes before the public lie in repose closes.

Funeral

A private funeral service will be held on Friday, March 2 between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30pm under a tent outside the Billy Graham Library. President Trump, along will all other living US presidents have been invited to attend the funeral.

Officials are planning for a total of 2,300 people to attend the funeral. The reverend’s son, Franklin Graham, will give the message, and several other family members will also speak.

Dr. Graham will be buried beside his wife, Ruth, at the foot of the cross-shaped brick walkway in the Prayer Garden, on the northeast side of the Billy Graham Library.

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