Musical evangelist George Beverly Shea honored

Shea, who died Tuesday at the age of 104, will be laid to rest in a private service on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte on Monday.

Shea's rendition of "How Great Thou Art" was well known by a generation of Protestants who Graham evangelized.

Shea joined Graham's crusade team in 1947 and stayed until Graham's declining health ended most of his public appearances nearly 60 years later.

Graham was at Sunday's funeral service.

Ron Shea, George Shea's son, said his father will be remembered best, in part, for his voice.

"That's what dad's life was," he said. "He was simple. He loved the Lord. He loved music. He loved singing praises, and we loved him for it."