CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. Billy Graham, one of Charlotte’s most prominent religious figures, turns 99 years old Tuesday.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, said the Graham family will celebrate his birthday with his favorite cake, lemon cake with lard icing, at his home in Montreat.
“He loves those cakes, but it has to have the lard icing,” Franklin Graham said.
He also said his father enters his 99th year in good health.
“As a family, we are just so very grateful that he is still with us. His mind is good, but he's quieter these days,” Graham said.
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The Graham family will be honoring Billy Graham’s legacy from the time that he turns 99; to the days leading up to his 100th birthday.
“My father always wants the focus to be on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not on him,” Franklin Graham said. “So we will point to the amazing ways God has worked in lives around the world, through the ministry of Billy Graham.”
There will be special content on the Billy Graham website and in Decision Magazine for the next year, highlighting special Billy Graham events.
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The Billy Graham Library also honored his 99th birthday. There is a large banner that people are signing that will be sent to Graham.
During his long life, Graham has affected many lives, including Mary Jones, who said she went to one of his crusades in Philadelphia when she was younger.
“Awesome and a blessing from God that he has lived this long,” Jones said. “It was huge and it was really really nice, and it moved me then as a little child.”
Library officials said they've seen people from all over the country come and honor Graham.
The people who went to the celebration at the library told Channel 9 they've all been personally touched by Graham and his ministry.
"I think it's monumental. It's huge. Mr. Graham has had such an impact, not only nationally but internationally," Sonya Johnson, with the Billy Graham Library, said.
“The more time he's given here, the more positive impact he's been able to make,” visitor Jason Koon said.
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