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'My home is in Heaven': Billy Graham's legacy in Tennessee

Rev. Graham died Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.

East Tennessee and the rest of the nation is mourning Reverend Billy Graham's passing, saying the 99-year wait is over for a man who lived a fulfilled life of service to the Lord and fellow Christians.

Graham died Wednesday at his home in North Carolina at the age of 99.

The man renowned as "America's Preacher" was no stranger to East Tennessee, having visited many times through his life and preaching at Neyland Stadium at the turn of the decade in 1970 during his 10-day Crusade in Knoxville.

"He could almost be called a prophet just like the Old Testament prophets, I mean, he came and told us exactly what it was," said Bo Shafer, who remembers when Graham came to East Tennessee.

"Well, it was publicized everywhere. You just knew he was coming. It was everywhere and everyone was excited that he was going to come," he said.

Ten days of ministry inside Neyland Stadium. President Nixon was there. So was former UT President Dr. Andy Holt and actress and gospel singer Ethel Waters. Plus several other crusade organizers and city leaders.

"The stadium was quite rowdy. I mean unbelievably rowdy. And finally Billy Graham got up and quieted the crowd. And he did it by telling people what blasphemy meant. He had power in his words and he quieted the crowd," said Shafer.

Graham came back to Tennessee in 2000, stopping in Nashville, and when the reverend's health began to decline, his son Franklin returned in his place to Knoxville in 2008.

"My home is in Heaven," Graham habitually said. "I'm just traveling through this world."

Read more: Billy Graham, America's Preacher, passes away at 99

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett remembered the visit -- saying he was there in the stadium when Graham appeared with former President Richard Nixon.

Carson-Newman University mourned Graham's passing, saying lowered the institutions' flag has been lowered to half-staff in honor of him.

Carson-Newman presents Reverend Billy Graham with the Evangelist of the 20th Century Award at his home in Montreat, NC.

"Our dear friend and hero of the Christian faith has gone home to be with his Lord," said university president Randall O'Brien. "Our Carson-Newman family sends our love, prayers, and sweetest communion to the Graham family, who we dearly love. We join our hearts with our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide in giving thanks to God for the faithful witness and beautiful life of the Reverend Doctor Billy Graham in his blessed service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

President Donald Trump honored Graham on Twitter Wednesday morning, writing, "The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man."

Vice President Mike Pence tweeted Graham "changed the lives of millions" across the nation.

Rep. Diane Black tweeted Wednesday the" world lost a champion of the Gospel."

Sen. Lamar Alexander said Graham was a true inspiration and one of the kindest people he had ever met.

“Billy Graham was one of the kindest and most authentic men I ever met. His example was as inspiring as his preaching, Alexander said. "In 1979, my first year as governor, he invited me to play the piano at the Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville. He took a considerable risk in doing that, but it is an experience I will always remember.”

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carther, both of whom considered Graham a close friend, also gave their condolences and shared their memories of him.

Jimmy Carter's statement on the death of Billy Graham

“Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of The Reverend Billy Graham. Tirelessly spreading a message of fellowship and hope, he shaped the spiritual lives of tens of millions of people worldwide. Broad-minded, forgiving, and humble in his treatment of others, he exemplified the life of Jesus Christ by constantly reaching out for opportunities to serve. He had an enormous influence on my own spiritual life, and I was pleased to count Reverend Graham among my advisors and friends.”

George H.W. Bush statement on the death of Billy Graham

“Billy Graham was America’s pastor. His faith in Christ and his totally honest evangelical spirit inspired people across the country and around the world. I think Billy touched the hearts of not only Christians, but people of all faiths, because he was such a good man. I was privileged to have him as a personal friend. He would come to Maine to visit with Barbara and me, and he was a great sport. He loved going really fast in my boat. I guess you could say we had that in common. Then we would come home and talk about life. He was a mentor to several of my children, including the former President of the United States. We will miss our good friend forever.”

Former President Barack Obama also tweeted about Graham's death, saying he "gave hope and guidance to generations of Americans."

Graham's last decades were slowed by illness and injury. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1989, felled by broken bones, bouts of hydrocephalous and rounds of pneumonia. Age, illness and bone-breaking falls had left him struggling to deliver 20-minute sermons.

Though Graham's shoes could likely never be filled, his son, Franklin, has taken over in some aspects— leading The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and becoming a confidant of President Donald Trump, including speaking at his inauguration.

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