You know you’ve lived a happy when instead of being regretful and fearful, you’re singing God praises on your deathbed. That’s exactly what Robert “Bob” Earl Walters did from his hospital bed just a few days before he passed last month.
The 97-year-old’s health was failing at Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital when he decided he wanted to celebrate his life with a song.
Surrounded by family and friends, they all sang the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” “How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Sweedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885, according to Wikipedia.
The song was popularized by George Beverly and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham Crusades and was voted as the United Kingdoms favorite hymn in the BBC’s Songs of Praise.
It has been translated into various languages and covered by many famous artists from Amy Grant to Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Pentatonix.
Walters’ granddaughter, Melissa Walters Moss, recorded a video of her grandfather singing the song on Facebook. The video was taken on a Thursday and Walters died in the hospital the following morning.
“Last night grandpa had a really good evening and a great visit with old friends. He smiled and laughed and joked. I captured the sweetest moment when they were singing a hymn together, just listen to his sweet voice praising Jesus,” she wrote on Facebook.
“This morning my precious grandpa got to meet Jesus face to face as he peacefully went home to be with Him, uncle Rick by his side. Pray for our family now more than ever as we just lost the greatest man on earth.”
The post ended up going viral and was viewed on Facebook more than 30,000 times.
Many on Facebook said they were touched by this beautiful act of grace.
“Soooo Precious, to have this Beautiful Memory to look back on,” said one Facebook commenter. “So sorry for your loss. My Prayers are with You All. God Bless You All And Hold You All in The Palms if His Precious Hands. He Is Always With Us, We are Never Alone.”
“So beautiful. I enjoyed this video; it was truly beautiful & impacting,
said another. “Now, this is how family should live & be there for one another. God bless you all. Amen.”
You can watch this precious family moment in the video below.
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