Hemsley Memorial Service Set for Philly

"Jeffersons" actor & South Philly native to be memorialized Thursday

Deliverance Evangelistic Church in North Philadelphia is holding a public memorial service Thursday for actor Sherman Hemsley.

Hemsley, the actor forever known for his role as George Jefferson in the sitcom All in the Family and then The Jeffersons, was a native of South Philadelphia and his body is coming back to area for his burial.

He died July 24 at his home in Texas. He was 74.

The memorial service will be led by Rev. Michael Wells -- a relative of Hemsley’s -- and will feature photographs of the actor's early years in Philly, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

He was born in South Philadelphia and grew up around 22nd and Christian Streets, according to the Inquirer.

The viewing for Hemsley is set to begin at 9 a.m. at the church located at 2001 W Lehigh Avenue. The memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., family tells NBC10.

Family says that Hemsley will be buried later in the day. Details on his burial have yet to be released.


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