'He's just God's man:' Palatka community celebrates Billy Graham

The Palatka community celebrated the legacy of Billy Graham Sunday in the town where he delivered his first sermon.

“Billy was one who I don’t think ever met someone who was a stranger,” said Tommy Underhill, one of dozens of people who lined pews to show their respect for Graham.

Underhill said he first met Graham when he was around age 5. He said Graham would often stay at his parents’ house.

He recalled a conversation with Graham when he went outside to tell him dinner was ready.

“I went out and said, ‘Mr. Graham,’ because I was only 5 years old, and he said, ‘Uh uh, Tommy. My name to you is Billy and don’t ever forget it,’” he said.

Underhill said his father was a mentor to Graham and baptized him in 1938. Graham was ordained by Underwood and other local Southern Baptist preachers the next year.

He delivered sermons at several churches in Palatka before gaining worldwide notoriety.

Bob Blevins said he met Graham in Detroit in the 1970s at his school of Evangelism.

“It was like he was your neighbor, or a relative. Just that warmth it just seemed like it would draw you right in,” Blevins said at the Sunday service.

“It just seemed like from that time on that he meant, he was more like a personal friend,” Blevins said. “Each time I’d see him on TV or hear him on the radio it just felt like I had a closeness with him.”

Blevins and others who celebrated Graham’s life Sunday said his legacy will live on for ages.

“He wanted people to know that god loved them, whoever they were, God loves you. That was his message,” Sandra Purcell said.

Graham's body will lie in repose at the Graham Family Homeplace located next to his library for two days before being brought to the U.S. capitol.

It will then return to Charlotte for a private funeral and burial Friday.

Cox Media Group