The Eversdal Road guitar man, grandly dressed in a suit and
singing on a street corner in Eversdal Road in Durbanville, sadly passed away
on 16 October.
A funeral service was held for Raymond Fourie (64) last
Friday at his home in Delft.
His death was mourned by many residents of Durbanville,
whose lives he touched – with messages not only at the funeral service, but
also on several WhatsApp groups.
Fourie was a common sight on the corner of Eversdal and
Sondal roads, come rain or shine, until about six months ago when he was
diagnosed with lung cancer.
It was no coincidence that he chose that specific corner to
travel to every day, all the way from Delft, to praise the Lord with his
singing.
Fourie himself told TygerBurger in 2016 (“Tokkel kitaar in
reën en sonskyn op hoek”, 07/16) that he had passed out at that corner about
four or five years ago when he reached a low due to financial problems, and
that he had received a message from God to stand at that corner to praise His
name.
And that is what Raymond did, no matter how bad the weather.
He met several people from Durbanville, who now tell the stories of how he
changed their lives. He even once baptised a couple from Vredekloof in the pool
at their home.
Life did not start out very well for Fourie. He was born in
Cookhouse outside Port Elizabeth, but left the Eastern Cape when he was only 13
years old after his mother passed away.
He grew up as a street child in Hillbrow and became involved
with gangs and drugs, and even served time in jail.
Raymond told TygerBurger he met God on Good Friday in 1982
between Drie Susters and Bloemfontein.
“Raymond’s life was one of serving God in loving people and
wanting them to know the peace and contentment he felt only serving God could
bring,” says Michelle Glyn-Cuthbert, one of his Durbanville friends.
“He had an amazing marriage to his wonderful wife Isabel and
adored his daughter Chanel (26), who is mentally challenged after recovering
from brain cancer, yet like her father so full of love.
“He continued to sing his praises to God on Eversdal Road
even though he was feeling tired and weak. He had many friends who would
regularly stop for him to pray for them and encourage them. He prayed for the
area of Durbanville and all the residents. He prayed that God would bless them
and protect them.
“Eversdal Road is just not the same without Raymond being
there and seeing everyone waving to him,” she says
“He was always cheerful, friendly and never negative but
full of hope. It was a privilege for me to have known him. I’m very heartsore
to hear he passed away. He was the best Christian I’ve ever known,” another
resident says.
“Raymond was a ray of sunshine and a lifesaver to me many
times in the years I knew him. He was blessed with the ability to encourage me
when I needed it and to pray for me. I am a better person for having known this
incredible man,” another resident says. Unfortunately Fourie’s wife was
financially dependent on her husband and “the crippling cost of even the
cheapest of funerals is exorbitant”, Glyn-Cuthbert says. She is asking people
to donate money to help pay for the cost of Fourie’s funeral. Anyone who would
like to donate money can contact his friends, Bernadine on 021 979 3053,?Peter
on 083 335 6100 or Michelle at midgeafr@global.co.za.
