Pastor Phil Neighbors started the memorial, quoting Merle Haggard's sister, saying the ceremony was put on because Bakersfield needed their chance to say goodbye to the country legend.
Hundreds filled Valley Baptist Church off Fruitvale Avenue Tuesday morning, many in cowboy hats, boots and smiles. Tuesday's ceremony was about celebrating Haggard's life, music and spirituality.
In attendance were public figures like Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, and Haggard's sister Lillian Rae.
The ceremony started with Pastor Phil Neighbors saying a few words, talking about Haggard's adoration of his mother, and how he praised her in his music.
He spoke of Haggard's love of music since he was a child, saying Haggard used to tap his toes together in time with the beat of a song in the old boxcar.
He shared how Haggard's sister visited him during his last few hours in Palo Cedro, and how she read from the bible.
Then, local musicians played a couple of Merle's songs. Local boxcar advocate Dianne Sharman, took the stage and read the insert for one of Merle's albums that spoke of religion.
That lead into a sing-a-long with a recording of Haggard leading a church. You could hear the low rumble of the audience singing in tune.
Then came the surprises, a guitar made from the wood of his boxcar home was played by a very skillful local who toured with Haggard, Haggard's personal bible was also mentioned and showed to the audience. Rae shared one of the last songs Haggard wrote, called the Kern River Blues and the process of moving the boxcar to the Kern County Museum.
Pastor Neighbors said most of Haggard's music transcends time and holds lyrics and phrases that everyone can relate to.
The ceremony then took a more somber turn, as an Oakie musician sang of how he can't imagine a world without Haggard. Many in the audience were moved to tears, clutching their tissues and hugging loved ones.
Pastor Roger Spradlin took the stage and spoke of life after death.
Then a final song was played as family members exited the church and headed toward the reception.
Locals left saying they finally felt closure.
