American evangelist Billy Graham addresses the congregation at the opening of the 32-day Greater London Crusade at the Earls Court Convention Centre, London, England, June 1, 1966. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) American evangelist Billy Graham embraces his family upon his return from his 'Crusade for Christ' tour, New York, New York, mid 1950s. Clockwise from left: Chinese-born wife Ruth, daughter Anne, Graham, daughter Ruth (Bunny), and daughter Virginia. 87959_01: President George Bush Stands With Billy Graham January 19, 1991 At The White House Shortly After Graham Made A Speech In Washington, Dc. Graham Declared That The Present War In The Gulf Is A "Fight For Peace" Which Will Result In "A New World Order" As Suggested By President Bush. (Photo By Getty Images) American evangelist Billy Graham talking into a microphone at a press conference, Connaught Rooms, London, August 23rd 1973. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Front row from left, American evangelical preacher Billy Graham, singer Kate Smith (1907 - 1986), Dr. E. Harrison, and singer Pat Boone, celebrate 'Honor America Day' on July 4, 1970 in Washington DC. Graham and Smith both hold American flags and Miss Teenage America stands between and behind them. Boone wears a light suit with dark pin stripes. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Portrait of American evangelist Billy Graham, sitting in a library with a book, circa 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) American evangelist Billy Graham, giving a speech at Earl's Court, London, June 2nd 1960. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Getty Images) Billy Graham smiles as he leaves a news conference about the upcoming Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 21, 2005, in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks along with Billy Graham during Graham's Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 24, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian televangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 24, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian televangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 24, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian televangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Rev. Blly Graham preaches at the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 26, 2005 held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York. The three day crusade ending today will most likely be Graham's last mass event in the United States. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Rev. Billy Graham preaches at the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 26, 2005 held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York. The three day crusade ending today will most likely be Graham's last mass event in the United States. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 7: The Rev. Billy F. Graham speaks to the crowd on a rainy night October 7, 2004 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Graham is conducting his "Heart of America" crusade in Kansas City October 7-10. (Photo by Larry W. Smith/Getty Images) MONTREAT, N.C. (FOX 46/AP) - While the Rev. Billy Graham's travels took him as far away as the Soviet Union and China, he always came back to his native North Carolina, a place of refuge and spiritual refueling.
In the process, the most famous evangelist in American history became one of North Carolina's favorite sons.
GALLERY: Portraits of Billy Graham
The highway running past the world headquarters of his evangelical empire in Charlotte is called Billy Graham Parkway. The chapel in the mountain town of Montreat where he was married in 1943 is named in his honor. And a 2011 poll found him to be the most revered person in the state, beating out TV star Andy Griffith and basketball coach Dean Smith.
Billy Graham's body to make journey from mountains to Charlotte
Graham died Wednesday at age 99.
Franklin Graham says his father always thought of himself as simply a farm boy from North Carolina.
GALLERY: The Influence of Billy Graham
The following is a more detailed synopsis of important events surrounding Rev. Graham's death from the official website for media information for Billy Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
SAT, FEB. 24
11 a.m.—Ceremonial departure from Chatlos Chapel at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove (pool coverage), Asheville
11:25 a.m.—Departure time of motorcade leaving The Cove property, Asheville
3 p.m.—Arrival of Billy Graham's casket and motorcade, Charlotte
3 – 7 p.m.—Private family viewing, Charlotte
MON, FEB. 26
8 a.m.—Public lie in repose begins, Charlotte
10 p.m.—Public lie in repose closes, Charlotte
TUE, FEB. 27
8 a.m.—Public lie in repose begins, Charlotte
10 p.m.—Public lie in repose closes, Charlotte
FRI, MARCH 2
12 p.m.—Private funeral service begins, Charlotte
TBD—Private interment begins, Charlotte
All Charlotte events will take place at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters at 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.