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Followers leave flowers at Billy Graham Library, crews prep for funeral

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Visitors dropped off flowers and letters at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte to honor the Rev. Billy Graham, who died Wednesday at his home in Montreat. The influential evangelist was 99.

"Thank you, Rev. Billy Graham, for tearing down walls and building bridges for all," a letter left by one visitor read.

SPECIAL SECTION: Rev. Billy Graham, known as 'America's Pastor,' dies at 99

The library was closed Thursday, but people still visited the gates to pay their respects.

"He changed my life by introducing me to our God," visitor Martina Trousdale said at the entrance of the library.

Rev. Billy Graham, known as 'America's Pastor,' dies at 99

Trousdale grew up in Canada and watched Graham's crusades on TV.

"He would say that, ‘God loves you and you need to know Jesus Christ’ and that's how he touched my life," Graham said.

He ministered to millions just like Trousdale, sharing his powerful message with everyone, from those in poverty to those in power.

The closed gates at the library were not enough to stop visitors like Nick Spaulding from sharing his reverence for the pastor

"Thank you for having a servant's heart," Spaulding said.

On the other side of the closed gates, crews were setting up for Graham's private funeral service on Friday. They're going to erect a tent in the parking lot that's big enough to hold 2,300 people.

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It will be a touching reminder of the evangelist's first major crusade that started under a tent in Los Angeles in 1949.

Graham would've turned 100-years old in November.

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