as evidence of the respect that he retained within the hbcu coaching community, among the pallbearers and honorary pallbearers serving at his funeral were past, present, and future college football head coaches alex durley, t. b. ellis, jake gaither, zip gayles, howard gentry, b. t. harvey, emory hines, bob lee, pop long, merritt, billy nicks, alfred priestly, robinson, and e. e. simmons. the funeral was officiated by rev. dr. t. j. jemison.