Thousands say goodbye to Gregg Allman

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Thousands of fans joined family and friends in saying their goodbyes to Southern Rock pioneer, Gregg Allman. Allman was laid to rest on Saturday in his hometown of Macon.

Allman’s family held a private service at Snow’s Memorial Chapel at 1 PM. His former wife Cher and former president Jimmy Carter, were among guests at the funeral. Cherry Street was blocked off from First Street to New Street, but that didn’t stop fans from sitting on the outside. Hundreds of fans lined up near Snow’s all the way down Riverside Drive, leading up to Rose Hill Cemetery.

Fans traveled from all over the country to pay their respects to their Southern Rock icon. Janetta Walsh and Joni Nelson are long time Gregg Allman fans.  They have gone to numerous Allman concerts.

“Snow storms, driving to go see them, all day concerts, all day festivals, just to be a part of it,” said Walsh.

Neslon and Walsh traveled from Brooklyn to say goodbye to their friend. They originally bought tickets to see Allman perform at the Grand Opera House. He was supposed play June 3rd, instead they attended his funeral.

“He had a way of singing things, he had a way of bringing life to words and feelings,” said Nelson.

Dawn Poston says Allman was more than musician to her, he was her life. Poston drove six hours alone to pay her respects.

“Everybody says, ‘its the soundtrack of my life’, but it really it truly is,” said Poston. “From the time I was twelve years old.”

Allman was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery right next to his brother Duane Allman and band member Berry Oakley. Poston says ‘it makes sense’ for him to return to Macon.

Following the fans then made their way to the Big House Museum where there the museum held a private party for friends and family. People stood outside to enjoy Allman’s music and celebrate his life.