Barack Obama: John Lewis was perhaps MLK's 'finest disciple'

Alyssa Pointer/pool/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP

Former President Barack Obama called Congressman John Lewis “an American whose faith was tested again and again to produce a man of pure joy and unbreakable perseverance.” 

“Now this country is a constant work in progress," Obama continued. "We're born with instructions to form a more perfect union. Explicit in those words is the idea that we're imperfect. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further than any might have thought possible."

Obama went on to describe Lewis' work as a young civil rights activist.

"John Lewis, first of the Freedom Riders, head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, member of Congress representing the people of this state and this district for 33 years, mentor to young people — including me, at the time," Obama said.

"Until his final day on this Earth, he not only embraced that responsibility but he made it his life's work," Obama added.

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Former President Barack Obama just started his eulogy for Rep. John Lewis.

Obama said he owes "a great debt" to Lewis and his "forceful vision of freedom."

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Speaking at Rep. John Lewis’ Atlanta funeral, niece Sheila Lewis O’Brien described the man she knew as “uncle Robert.” 

Behind the courageous man known to the world, she said, was a man that enjoyed family time and “sharing laughter and love.” 

"While we knew how important he and his work was to the world, when we were with him, we saw uncle Robert," O’Brien said  "We saw the man that enjoyed spending time with his family, ribbing us about days gone by, catching up on family dynamics, enjoying a good meal, sharing laughter and love.” 

O’Brien called on attendees and the country to take on Lewis’ baton “that he has now laid down” and to endeavor to get into “good trouble.” 

“He truly made an impact, not just on America, but on the world. So today, we celebrate the life of Congressman John Lewis, our uncle Robert, the man who labored, the man who talked, the man who walked, fought, knelt, sat, held hands with both Blacks and Whites, bled, lifted his voice, bent his knees, and was willing to give up his life for a righteous cause," she said.

"Let's continue this celebration of life, by taking up the baton that he has now laid down, and endeavor to get into trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble. Let's not give up. Let's not give in. Let's never give out,” O’Brien added.

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At the funeral service of Rep. John Lewis, Bill Campbell, former Atlanta mayor, remembered his "dear, loving and loyal friend," and described how the civil rights titan became a hero for individuals fighting multiple causes across the country.

"They say that the victors write history, and so I declare today that the history of the 20th century as it is written, John Lewis will stand beside Gandhi and King and Mandela, as one of the great transformative freedom fighters of human kind," the former mayor said.

Campbell said that during the last days of his life, Lewis spoke to him about the importance of voting in November, calling it the "most important election ever."

"And I promised him that with every fiber in my body I would tell everyone, if you truly want to honor this humble hero, make sure that you vote," Campbell said.

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Jamila Thompson, John Lewis' deputy chief of staff, said the late congressman was a "peaceful soul" who treated everyone on his staff — from senior staffers to interns — with respect.

She said that when people asked what the congressman was like, she'd say, "He's just as you may imagine, but better."

Thompson remembered how the office joked about how much weight they gained after joining the staff because Lewis often brought in lunch — "and far, far too often dessert."

"In our office, there was the John Lewis 20," she said, adding that Lewis always wanted his staff to share meals.

"We were a little family," she said.

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Civil Rights leader Xernona Clayton described how she set John Lewis with his would-be wife, Lillian.

Clayton said Lillian moved too slowly for her tastes. She said she told her, "But Lillian, he's busy! He's fighting the evils of the world ... I said, 'Girl, listen. This boy is going places.'"

Clayton said one New Years Eve she invited both Lillian and John to a dinner party. They both assumed they were going to a big party — but when they got to Clayton's house, there was only room for three.

She said the two hit it off — very slowly.

"And finally, Lillian said, 'I do like him,'" Clayton said.

Lillian Miles Lewis died in 2012.

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Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, read a letter from Former President Jimmy Carter at the funeral for civil rights icon John Lewis.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush already delivered remarks at the service. Former President Barack Obama is set to give Lewis' eulogy later during the funeral.

With Carter's letter, every living former US President is represented at Lewis' funeral.

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Activist and nonviolence advocate the Rev. James Lawson said Rep. John Lewis' politics were centered on the basics of American democracy.

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Former President Bill Clinton paid tribute to Rep. John Lewis, outlining his life as a civil rights leader and reiterating Lewis’ call to action for the future. 

Clinton then referenced today’s op-ed by Lewis in The New York Times, which was sent two days before his death to be published on the day of his funeral. In the essay, Lewis called for Americans to "answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe.”

“We got our last letter today on the pages of The New York Times: Keep moving. It is so fitting on the day of his service, he leaves us our marching orders. Keep moving,” Clinton said. 

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