Billy Graham's body makes journey home to Charlotte

The procession carrying the body of the Rev. Billy Graham has reached the grounds of the library bearing his name.

The procession began Saturday morning at a mountain chapel at the training center operated by his evangelistic association in Asheville and ends in the afternoon at Graham's library in Charlotte.

Crowds watched the procession pass through the town of Black Mountain as it left the training center on its way to the interstate. Graham often shopped in Black Mountain, next to the community of Montreat where he maintained his home.

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The procession reached the Billy Graham Library literally four hours after it left the training center to head for Charlotte, where the evangelist was born. Shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, the hearse reached the library, where it was met by family members. Pallbearers removed the coffin and took it into the library, followed by the family members. Graham's body will lie there in repose for two days.

Graham died on Wednesday. The library will serve as a backdrop for his funeral on Friday.

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