John Henry Hubbard Home-going Celebration

And what a home-going celebration it was!....

The Echoes participated in a home-going celebration for John Henry Hubbard at Dutton's Chapel General Baptist Church in rural Pope County, Illinois.  John lived in Arizona at the time of his death.  And after services at the church he attended there, his remains were brought back to Illinois by his wife, Clara, for services at the church where he grew up.

"Harmoneers" circa 1971 (pre-dating the change to
 "Echoes from Calvary").  (left to right) Kenneth
Harpole, Lon Baker, John Henry Hubbard,
Billy Green

John Henry was a founding member of the Echoes (first known as the "Harmoneers") and as such had a profound influence in our style, presentation and overall ministry.  So, it was natural that we would want to participate in the celebration.  He was also responsible for bringing David McGan into the quartet to play piano when David graduated from college in 1971.

Were you ever at a funeral where there was shouting?  Well, there was at John Henry's funeral.  Each participant sang songs or told stories that were somehow connected to John Henry.  Thelma Cruson, along with sisters Lisa Goolsby Hubbard and Letha Goolsby Baker, sang songs that Thelma had sung with John Henry as part of the Evangelaires in the late 70's and early 80's.  Clara Hubbard, John's wife, made heart-felt remarks about her life with John and his constant focus on talking to people about Jesus and their need for a closer walk with Him. 

Butch Gowins, with whom John Henry sang as the "Harmony Boys," along with Kenneth Harpole and Ray Gowins (Butch's Dad), with David McGan at the piano, in 1966-67, sang "When He Reached Down His Hand For Me."  That song was selected, because it was a popular one that featured John Henry during the days with the Harmony Boys and Harmoneers.  

Gene Goolsby, a child-hood friend of John's, then sang a couple of songs, the words of which were a good reflection on the life John lived.

Echoes from Calvary - 1973 - (l to r) David McGan,
Sharon Thomas, John Henry Hubbard, Billy Green,
Lon Baker

It was the Echoes' turn, then.  We first sang "Thank You Lord," a song that John wrote in 1973, as Sharon and Twila gathered around the piano with David playing.  We followed that with the very appropriate words of the song, "Celebrate Me Home" -- including "Don't just sit and grieve because I'm gone; celebrate me home."

Reverend Bernie Cowgill, another child-hood friend of John Henry, then spoke about John's life, and his strong faith in and commitment to Jesus during his life.  People laughed at his comments, people gave testimonies of how John's life had touched them, and it was clear through all the remarks that John Henry "finished strong," and that he was welcomed into Heaven with a "well done, thou good and faithful servant."

The service then concluded with John Henry himself singing another popular song, "The Holy Hills," via a recording made in the 70's.  This time, he was backed up by all the other singers of the afternoon.  Then, everyone sang "How Great Thou Art," another popular John Henry-featured song, which brought forth the afore-mentioned shouting.  Yes, it was a shouting time celebration of a life well-lived for Jesus Christ.

Some of us then went to the nearby Collier Cemetery, where Thelma, Lisa and David sang a verse of "Amazing Grace," as John was laid to rest near his father and mother.

We may have grieved a little that afternoon, but much, much more, we celebrated John Henry home.  That's the way it should be when a child of God finishes the race.  

John Henry would want every reader of these words to not tarry to put your faith in Jesus Christ.  Then one day stand we'll all gather with John again, as we all sing praises to our Lord Jesus Christ -- together once again.