AMERICUS — Hundreds of cars lined the sides of Ga. Highway 49 South and Koinonia Farm on Wednesday as a plethora of people came to say their good byes to Habitat founder and Fuller Center creator, Millard Fuller.

Fuller, who turned 74 on Jan. 3, would have appreciated the simple service, many mourners were heard to comment.

Dr. Schley Gatewood Jr. and his wife Karen, walking among the crowd of friends and residents of Koinonia Farm before the white van carrying Fuller’s body, spoke fondly of Fuller’s desire to keep his funeral simple and as close to the mission Fuller strived to live in his life.

“He would have liked this,” Schley Gatewood said, gesturing to the people of all shapes, sizes, colors and genders, bundled in their heavy coats, loves, scarves, walking and singing the spiritual “I’ll Fly Away.”

The road to Pine Hill wasn’t really a road, but a path of dirt, rock and grass that symbolized the very way that God intended life’s roads to be.

Fuller’s death early Tuesday morning was a shock to all who knew the normally vigorous, healthy father of four. According to family reports, he had been suffering through a cold in his chest, for quite a while, that he couldn’t seem to shake. He had risen early Tuesday complaining of chest pains and a headache. After a trip to Sumter Regional Hospital East, Fuller was being transported by to a hospital in Albany when he died. His wife of almost 50 years, Linda, and daughter, Faith, were reported to be with him.

The temperature was close to 27 degrees Wednesday, but as Chris Fuller, the Fullers’ son, said, “It is cold here, but we are warm in our hearts.”

No truer statement could have been made as rich, poor, middle class, male, female, young, old, finely dressed, casually dressed, gathered around the rows of chairs sitting in the grass around the pine casket, to show their unconditional love for and support of the Fuller family and of the man himself.

While waiting for the family to arrive, under the direction of residents of Koinonia, several old gospel hymns were sung, Eyes watched as Fuller’s casket was brought to the front. One mourner was heard to say, “I can just see him now, looking at all these people and wondering why there aren’t any hammers or saws in our hands.”

Chris Fuller said of his father, “When Clarence Jordan talked about dying, he said he would be preaching all the way to Heaven; I can just see my dad building houses.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd — an unusual gathering of a variety of citizens not normally accustomed to being together.

Thanking those in attendance, Chris Fuller said, “Our family is truly overwhelmed and appreciative to all of you for being with us today. Though saddened by the loss, we know where Millard Fuller is, and we celebrate his life with you.”

Chris Fuller said of his father’s death, “We have not received the final autopsy (report), but in what we do know, it appears that my father did die of congestive heart failure. He died quickly, which is what he would have wanted.”

Fuller daughter Georgia Ailene Fuller Luedi stood with her young daughter Sophie, and sang a chorus in her father’s honor. She then led those in attendance in singing “Happy Birthday” to her father for his rebirth.

“When Clarence Jordan died, my sister Faith sang the only song that seemed fitting to her, and that was ‘Happy Birthday,’ and we would like to do that for my father,” said Luedi.

Voices were lifted high in melodic sound in spite of the sadness and melancholy felt by all at the loss of a man who touched the lives of billions through his work and words.

George Peagler, Southwestern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge and long-time friend of Millard Fuller’s spoke after the singing.

He spoke of Fuller’s character, work ethic and true concern for people.

“One cannot speak of Millard without reflecting on his past. It is a lesson, a true example, for all of us. A millionaire many times over, during a time of change in his life, Millard gained a new focus on his life, and that was when he decided to sell all of his possessions, give the money to the poor and devote his life to what his mentor, Clarence Jordan called ‘incarnational evangelism’ ... that is, putting flesh into God’s teachings to help the hungry, the naked, the thirsty, the sick and to make a difference in their lives.”

With the sun brightly shining through the pecan trees surrounding the burial site, Peagler called on Fuller friend and former professor at Georgia Southwestern State University, David Ewing to lead in song.

Ewing stood, paused for a moment, and with a booming, yet resounding, voice sang “Amazing Grace,” calling on the crowd before him to sing in tribute to the life which Millard Fuller led.

Another mourner whispered, while watching the family gather at the plain wooden casket, “It was once said of Millard that he was comfortable with kings and paupers, but more importantly they were comfortable with him.”

Randy Jones, local banker and former lawyer, who litigated against Fuller many times during Fuller’s days as a practicing attorney, said, “Those of us who went up against him used to say it was like Jesus Christ went before the jury.” In other words, when Fuller spoke, people listened.

Wednesday morning’s service was the ending of the physical journey of a man who started life in a most humbling and simple beginning in Lanett, Ala. From an outsider’s view in, it was not the end of the mission of Fuller, but perhaps a new beginning.

As his wife stated in previous interviews with other media outlets, “that great strides have been made toward fulfilling Millard’s vision of eliminating poverty housing around the world, but there is still much to carry on with faith and strength.”

Son Chris, and daughter Georgia confirmed at the burial that their father’s work would go on.

Linda Fuller laid a single red rose on her husband’s casket of choice, along side a simple hammer.

Morris Dees Jr., friend and former business partner’s earlier words came to mind as the service was concluded, “Millard Fuller lived the life he loved, and loved the life he lived.”

A memorial service is planned for later on in the month.