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 George Beverly Shea (left) with his close friend, Billy Graham (right).
April 17th, 2013
11:45 AM ET
Gospel singer, Graham confidant George Beverly Shea dies at 104By Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) - George Beverly Shea, a noted gospel singer and close confidant to evangelical leader Billy Graham, died Tuesday evening after "a brief illness," according to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. He was 104. Shea had been hospitalized after a stroke, association spokesman Brent Rinehart said. In honoring Shea's death, the evangelical organization noted that the singer had "carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union." "I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," Graham said in a statement. "As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world." He continued, "Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother." iReport: Remembering George Beverly Shea Reaction to Shea's death lit up Twitter, with fans across the country remembering "a remarkable man" who led a life of "great significance." https://twitter.com/DavidBurtonEv/status/324390231241551872 Shea recorded more than 70 sacred music albums, according to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. The work earned him a Grammy in 1965 - for his "Southland Favorites" album - and nine other nominations from the prestigious organization. Additionally, the Grammy organization honored Shea with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. "Even though Bev was 10 years older than my father, he never acted his age," Graham said. "He was absolute fun to be with. Bev was one of the most gracious and unassuming men I have known. He was always encouraging and supportive, a man of deep faith and strong commitment to Jesus Christ." Shea, born in Winchester, Ontario, on February 1, 1909, was the son of a Methodist minister. His father taught him the violin, and his mother taught him the piano and organ. He started singing in the choir of his father's church. Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and two children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine, according to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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I will one day rejoice with Mr. Shea who is even now singing praises to God. The Alpha and Omega. Yahweh is the Hebrew for I am and have always been and will always be. Faith is not about religion...it is Life. The Immanuel and Messiah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of the New Testament. Budha, Vishnu, and even Mohamed died and stayed dead in the grave. The God of Abraham is alive and left an empty tomb and death shroud. He is the author of history, the Creator of EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE. Amen
AND WHEN YOU GET THERE HE'LL LOOK AT YOU AND BE ALL, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?"
Old bigots are dying daily....good riddance
Says the guy who will someday be an old bigot. Stupid humans.
Hey look at me... I'm so smart... and better than you because I'm alive today and you're not. Dies the next day. Idiot.
bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial, religious or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
Sounds like you.
I don't suppress other people's freedoms; I've simply become intolerant for intolerance
I wish i could smile at the fear in all the non believers words on this comment page...but i cant... you are a very sad group
david, you are an arrogant little used tissue, aren't you.
We aren't the ones who have to make up stories to pretend that our deaths will be temporary. Sorry, but you're going to be worm food just as surely as I am, and you're going to stay that way. There isn't an eternal candy land in the sky. Wake up and come back to reality.
Michael, if that Candy Land does exist though (along with the other extreme, the fiery pit that you seem to be headed for), you're gonna have a nice warm, time down south as some of us enjoy the fruits up north
Mike: Pascal's Wager. Thor is gonna whup yo ass if you don't google it soon.
Mike D is just taking a long walk in a glass house.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TO BE A SMUG DI.CK, DAVID
Yawn. You're remarkably stupid.
dam, 39 years of collecting social security.
and not a penny went to you. that's the best part...
Social Security is nice. While it lasts.
GBS was a giant for the Lord and his songs were respected and gratefully received by the masses. I am thankful that it was Billy Graham, GBS, Cliff Barrows and all the team made it possible for me to hear the gospel on a little 5 tube radio in the early 50's. They have been rejected by the scoffers but accepted by the King of Kings and they will be rewarded for 60 years of faithful and truthful ministry. Thank you dear Lord for allowing me to know of this man who gave his life to serve in the field of music.
Question to all the atheists & agnostics......why do you feel the need to bring down Christians and/or believers (who probably mean well)? I knew I could come on this board, in an article praising a man for all the positive and hope he brought to others, to see non-believers ripping his purpose apart.
Oh good, another one of you boo-hoo-look-at-me-I'm-so-persecuted Jesus freaks.
You are taking it the wrong way. It is a service to humanity to point out delusions and harmful beliefs such as the Christian ones.
MC, I dont feel persecuted, never have. Numbers say, I'm actually in the majority. Thats besides the point. Point is, most true Christians are good people, and mean well. Not to say atheists dont. I haven't been on this board long but I dont see many Christians attacking non-believers. Whats wrong with believing in a higher power? I hope for your sake, there isn't one cuz if there is, and you continue to spew the hate that you do......eternity might not be a lot of fun for ya. "“I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.”" – Albert Camus
Mikey D, do the whole big world a favor and look up "Pascal's Wager" in your favorite search cow.
Thor is gonna whup yo ass.
Mainly because there are those that have and those that don't. Here the difference is what is to be had is a spiritual life. And those that don't have it can be biter and spiteful. Wouldn't you be if you didn't?
Mickey D – There are far more Muslims in this world than there are Christians. But I do believe there are more people with a spiritual life then there are those without.
There are those that are barkers and those that are biters, hey "i"...
Bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (such as a racial, religious or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance. Mc and Werner, a mirror shows you what you're like on the outside. Your words show you what you're like on the inside. Better to be a Christian, Muslim or Jew than to be you.
Mike: Not all atheists and agnostics feel the need to do this. Why do Christans (but not all of them) feel the need to deny others their cvivil rights?
I'd like to know why it took CNN two full days to post this story. Really? Dancing With Stars? Justin Bieber? The Kardashians? All of these took precedence over a man who's lifetime service and talent spanned well over 60 years or more. CNN should be ashamed!!!
@Cherie,
this is the Belief Blog – a place for commentary on religion – not "US news".
For someone that no one (other than particular fans of gospel music) has ever heard of, I think the CNN belief blog has done Mr. Shea proud here. It's a very nice obituary.
Who cares? Nobody but over-the-hill Jesus freaks. Shouldn't have been reported at all.
Also, half-wit, he died Tuesday. This is Wednesday, which, last I checked, is not "two full days" after Tuesday.
Especially, half-wit, since he died Tuesday night, according to this story, and the obit is time stamped Wednesday morning at 11:45 AM. So the very next morning. You Jesus nut bags really do have a persecution complex.
HE ACTUALLY DIED ABOUT A MONTH AGO BUT THEY ONLY JUST NOW NOTICED.
Can't believe the comments I am seeing on here. Looks like we are in for more of what is going on in this world. Seems everybody hates a believer. REALLY, I feel sorry for you!!!!! George Beverly Shea was a true Gentle Christian Giant who was loved by many including me. Sorry some of you have so much hate and bitterness in your lives.
Oh you poor "persecuted" Christians. Come off it. Get off your high horse already. The US panders to your religion's particular fables far too much and you have nothing to complain about in that regard.
Dude, the US is going down because of greed. Not because a few Christians got in the way. Think about it.
BAW
BAAAAAWW
BECAUSE A STUPID COMMENT FORUM IS A GREAT REPRESENTATION OF SOCIETY?
IDIOT
Seriously. It's not like anyone posting here has a life. If we did, we wouldn't be hiding behind (what we think are) witty user names, sitting for hours on a computer posting inane comments that nobody else in the world cares about. If we had a life, we would be talking to people instead of trying to develop carpal-tunnel syndrome. If we had lives, we wouldn't be hitting AT each other, we would be hitting ON each other. Carrie, you sound pretty cool. How about emailing me?
A very good man...I thought that I read a couple of years ago that he had died then....did not know that he was alive until now! 104 is a very long and in his case, a well-lived life!
I wish god had given some of his age to that 8 year old Boston bomb victim...i feel it is so unfair ): Some people wait to die ..some are just taken away before time ...):
He got 8 yrs that was better than nothing. Just goes to show you, live each day like it's your last, you never know when your time will come.
YES, EXACTLY, TELL YOUR 8 YEAR OLD TO LIVE EVERY DAY LIKE IT'S HIS LAST, THAT WON'T SCARE THE SHI.T OUT OF HIM AT ALL
Life isn't fair. My mom told me that long before I was 8 years old. Did you just get the memo now? Look around this world and tell me what is fair? We have a few billion people who don't have access to clean water and consistent supplies of food. Is that fair? Do you want to blame that on God too?
ISLAM FOUNDATION OF BULLSH.IT – It will scare the hell out of a child if you don't have decent communications with your child and believe that in their case, being shielded from reality is the best thing. Learning how to relate to an 8 year old and explaining things to them empowers them to cope now and even better when they are older.
Joe, it isn't God's fault. According to Obama (and MSNBC trolls) everything is Bushs fault.
Most of Billy Graham's following has been in the deep South, especially in the backwoods of the deep South where they handle snakes and speak in tongues.
you were there? you handle snakes too? Oh no!
No, he IS a snake.
In my 35+ years living in the south and having been to many church services here, I have never seen anyone handle snakes, and only heard 1 speak in tongues. Yes, what you're referring to exists. Just barely.
Why are people looking to prove the bible wrong, for hundreds of years people have tried and each has failed, if only one person can prove it wrong then the rest of the people can move on and quite proving it to be wrong. However I guess since thousands of dollars are spent on proving God does not exist, and not one person has show that God does not exsit, I guess the closer they try to prove science, the closer God reveals the truth.
I gave my heart to Christ years ago, and I live very well, and people that are God haters (non-believers) maybe right, but what if I am right, I go to Heaven, and if your wrong,... well.. I guess your worst nightmare and fears will live with you forever.
But if your right then "poof " we die and we are dirt, I still lived a happy long life. I guess I win, cause right or wrong, I always come out on top!.
I am saved by the Grace of God not by the rules of man!
THAT'S GREAT, THANKS – ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE SOMEONE COME ON IN AND GET RIGHTEOUS ON THE PLACE, REALLY HELPS.
You're welcome to your own beliefs but have you considered that no one has ever proved any of the thousands of other religion's scriptures wrong as well? Does that mean that they are all true? Do you ever get past your fear of death long enough to ask yourself why no god of any religion in the history of mankind has ever shown itself in an indisputable way, instead of playing hide and seek? Or any one of a thousand other questions you could ask instead of having blind faith and calling it the truth. No one has ever proved Mermaids and unicorns don't exist... is that enough for you to believe that they do?
Your beliefs are just as ridiculous as all the rest. You're not special. Go to sleep cozy every night knowing that you have put all of your faith in the story of one or several unknown authors written some 4,000 years ago who thought that wet dreams were bad and menstruating women were unclean and mixing fabrics was a sin and stoning a child for disobedience was moral. You don't even really believe in that god... you believe in the man who sold the idea. Namaste.
Actually the world is looking for 1 person to prove that it is true, without using the bible itself as the proof. You cannot find anything relating to the actual incidents anywhere else in history. The only proof of these stories, tales, people, etc are in the bible itself all of which was written by earthly people. It has pieces taken from every major religion of the time & over time also stole the holidays of other religions to claim as it's own.
So the issue isn't people proving it wrong because it is wrong and non-existent. It is finding someone that can show proof that any of it actually ever happened.
Prove that it happened? You mean like the American revolution? Like the Big Bang "Theory?" Like ABC, CBS, NBC and MSNBC being unbiased?
We celebrate a life well lived for the glory of God.
🙂
Time spent worshipping a fictional deity that is all-powerful and can have anything it wants is simply a waste of time in a short mortal life, even as long as this fellow lived.
Nellie... and so people will remember you in 300 years because why? Who is to say who is wasting their life? If you think about it, if this life is all there is.... we all are freaking wasting our time.
Joe, methinks you fail to grasp the simple concept of making use of the short time that you know you have. Methinks thus.
And methinks you are pretty stupid, me does.
I don't think I'm stupid at all. You can't seem to answer my question. If everything is meaningless when it's all said and done then who is judge whether or not a person lived a good life or not? And quite frankly... WHO THE HECK CARES...... if we all end up in the ground dead someday anyway. The only people that are remembered in history are a small fragment of all those who have lived thus far. What makes you so arrogant to think you'll be remembered? You'll just be in a hole in the ground like everybody else. So, again I say what does it matter if this life is all that it is? It's not like you'll be able to say when you're dead that I did a good job... because according to you you'll be dead when you die and you'll be aware of nothing. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING and then consider who is being stupid here.
So, Weiner Von Blog, your lame and boring posts are your best use of your short time on earth? Methinks you live a very sad life. Methinks too, that your short time on earth may have already been too long. Good luck after your bodily functions cease, methinks you have an eternity ahead being fertilizer for mushrooms.
God needs glorification? Does he have a hissy fit if he doesn't get what he wants?
Wow, we have some real classy people commenting on here...
He was a dedicated man of God and is in heaven now. Rest in peace.
Amen!
'AMEN' IS APPARENTLY THE RIGHT RESPONSE IF YOURE A SELF RIGHTEOUS PUKE
STAY CLASSY ROB AND JOE
Amen means so be it... moron.
NO, YOU STUPID BITCH, IT DOESN'T.
'The specific Hebrew word amen (’amen ) appears to be derived from a related verb–’aman , which means "he confirmed, supported, or upheld."
Who are you to state who is in heaven? Isn't that god's authority? Are you god in your own mind?
@Sam – Really? I mean, did you really just make that comment? Ok then, how's this: "Wow, we have some real classy people commenting on here... Although I didn't know the man personally, based on the fact that he spent decades with Billy Graham and by all appearances believed in what he sang, I am giving it a 98% chance that he is in heaven now since in all probability he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior (going by my personal belief that accepting Christ is the only way to heaven as the Bible teaches). Rest in peace." Is that better?
I heard Mr Shea sing at a Billy Graham rally back in the early '80s. The music was not my style, but he had quite a set of pipes, and he blessed many throughout the years.
I agree 100% RA. Not my style of music really but he had a great voice and lived a dedicated life.
I have quite a set of pipes too, but I don't use mine the same way, exactly.
What a great story. God used this evangelical team to witness to the world of His grace for many decades. I was born again after hearing an invitation from this Crusade, to receive Christ as my Savior when I was 17. I still remember the invitation: "some of you are searching for deeper meaning in life, and are not satisfied. You have an emptiness inside that only Christ can fill. Ask Him to come into your life as your Savior, and receive God's forgiveness for your sins. Tell Him that you are willing to follow Him as Lord and Savior, as He leads you" I did that years ago and knew His peace and forgiveness that night, and have never been the same since. May you receive Him as your Lord and Savior if you have not yet done so. God bless
I know what you're sayin there... The day I met Santa was the turning point in my life, he's been dropping by every year with cash prizes, gifts and what not... Believe.. Believe !
amen Ron. That was an amazing era. I came to Christ in a similar way. God certainly used the Billy Graham Crusade to reach millions of people over many years. Praise God. God bless
Doug, I don't think you know what we are saying.
Being "born again" is about the worst outcome for the lamebrains who accept the marketing that resulted in that term hook line and stinker. It generally means that they'll be telling the world about their delusion and disease ad nauseum.
I saw a bumper sticker that said..."Jesus, please save me from your followers".
The most dangerous people I have ever encountered were reformed alcoholics-born again Christians.
Doug... a saying comes to my mind at this point... if you don't have anything good to say then don't say about it. What did this man do to you such that you come along and mock his death? You too will join him in the ground soon enough. Worry about your own mortality and stop being an @ss.
Another saying comes to mind: "Joe is a wimp and a fool."
Werner... I get it... you think you're so important that you MAKE UP your own sayings. LOL.... Stay classy buddy.
So, Mr. Merica, isn't it grand how many lovely people your article has attracted. Look at all the kind words and heartfelt sympathy expressed for this man. What a grand example this is for the humanity and community at the heart of Western society.
And most importantly, how fortunate Mr. Shea is to have passed on prior to the destruction of the human species that is without question our fate as the people represented here slowly tear down every last shred of what makes us human and returns us to the dark ages yet again.
Well you have a good day too !
THANKS FOR COMING ALONG TO BE A SELF RIGHTEOUS WET BLANKET, YOU'VE TOTALLY TURNED THE PLACE AROUND, THANKS.
And you have b-u-l-l-sh!t in your name.... what does that say about you? Keep it real dude.
HEY JOE – GO JAM YOURSELF INTO THE NEAREST ASSCRACK SIDEWAYS
Shame there is so much disrespect for two very Fine Christian people. We are asked to be tolerant and be sensitve to one another, yett that only applies to liberals, I guess. Nice job.
The comments and behavior you see here is the very essence of liberal thought. It is a gang mentality where intolerance and bigotry are wrapped in false banners of "fair" and "equal".
It will be the driving force that brings society to the same conclusion as the Greek, Egyptian and Roman cultures met and after the ensuing chaos, nature will try yet again.
YES, THANKS FOR COMING ALONG AND ADDING A DIG ABOUT 'LIBERALS', YOU ARE SO GREAT. SO GREAT AND TOLERANT. SUCK A DUCK.
Yes, because Christians would never do something like celebrate Christopher Hitchen's death by regaling us all with tales of his suffering in the puts of hell.
Really kids, there are stiffs (jerks, nimrods, whatever) on both sides of the issue, you are living in a fantasy world if you think otherwise. I don't think all Christians are represented by Fred Phelps, it would be ridiculously bigoted.. Thinking that a belief system is represented by the comments in a forum like this no different, bigoted and hypocritical.
Sad....Check out your history. Most cultures were destroyed by religious fanatics.
I am a liberal and a Christian. I was brought up in the Southern Baptist Church and have a deep and abiding respect for both Rev. Graham and Mr. Shea. I am an active church member, Sunday School teacher and youth leader. I am also an active member of the Democratic Party. Not all liberals are atheist or intolerant of religion, just as not all Christians agree with the hate theology of the Westboro Baptist Church and not all Muslims agree with the Taliban. In fact, I believe that the vast majority of all theses groups have more human decency in common with each other than with the extremists within their ranks. None of are good representatives of Christianity, or humanity, when we make unfounded assumptions about millions of our fellow children of God.
Miles, I don't recall any Christians celebrating when Mr. Hitchens died. He believed as he believed. End of story. We all are responsible for the decisions we make. He made his decision. Life goes on. No need to judge the man. If he was right, then he's just dead right now. If he was wrong, then he'll have somebody else to judge him, not me.
Nostra... religion is not going to destroy this country but GREED may very well destroy it.
Thor is gonna burn Joe's sorry fat ass...
I will take on Thor and kick his @ss. Watch me.
Well, Joe, all I can say is you should expand your reading, or take off your blinders. The articles are still out there, a 5 minute google would show how ridiculous your assertion is.
ISLAM FOUNDATION OF BULLSH.IT: It is you and your ilk that are intolerant and bigoted. While you bash people of faith, you clearly support the liberal concept of alternative lifestyles. Thus your "SUCK A DUCK" remark. I don't know whether you are full of bullsh.it or ducksh.it.
FUCK YOU, ALLAHU. ISLAM IS BULLSHIT.
Is Billy Graham still around? I thought most airbags of this generation had been recalled.
your still here
One day there will be a recall for your airbag. Is it well with your soul?
The reality is that it's quite foolish to talk about people dying when the only thing absolutely guaranteed in this world is that you will someday join them in the ground. So are we going to talk foolishly or are we going to grow up and act like adults here?
You are not half-baked, lunatic; you are well-done.
Not a bad high score.
I hope I make 104.
That's a lot of altar boys.
I doubt a Protestant Gospel singer was diddling little boys. That seems more to be the action of Catholic priests who should have stayed out of the priesthood, and married instead.
No, that seems more the territory of college football coaches and San Franciscans.