CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the motorcade escorting Reverend Billy Graham made its way through toward Charlotte Saturday afternoon, a large crowd of admirers took to the streets of uptown to honor the man many knew as "America's Pastor."
Many told NBC Charlotte they wouldn’t miss this opportunity to show their respects. Clouds filled the sky and a light rain fell as the procession drove Reverend Billy Graham home to the Queen City.
"I think everybody was in awe, like me,” Diane McKay said after witnessing the procession.
Tears of sadness and joy. People of all ages in attendance to celebrate an inspiring life.
"It's very emotional," McKay said.
"It was really great. There was like lots of helicopters around," said Riley, a young boy who was seen wearing a Boy Scouts of America uniform.
“Why did you put your uniform on for this event?" asked NBC Charlotte's Rachel Lundberg.
"So I wanted to look as reverend and formal as possible for this,” Riley said.
As soon as the motorcade turned left onto East Stonewall Street from South Tryon, the sun peeked through the dark clouds shining -- in which one could say it felt like God’s light and Rev. Graham’s light -- shining over the city of Charlotte.