LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The public viewing for David McAtee who was fatally shot by a National Guard person almost two weeks ago was held Friday at St. Stephen Church in West Louisville. Before the public viewing for anyone, his mom Odessa Riley and family had a little over an hour to view him first in private.

 

What You Need To Know


  • Wake for David McAtee

  • Mayor Greg Fischer among those in attendance

  • Funeral will be held Saturday

 

“A good soul is gone,” said Laketa Johnson, McAtee’s mother’s great-niece. She was one of the dozens of family members there to pay their respects.

Riley was the first family member to enter the sanctuary and have some time to say goodbye to her late 53-year-old son. That was the first time since her son’s death on Monday, June 1, that she had a chance to see him.

Louisville’s Mayor Greg Fischer (D) also joined 81-year-old Riley during the private viewing, placing his hand for a long duration on McAtee’s casket and whispering back and forth with Riley.

Also known as “The BBQ Man” or “YaYa” for his barbecue business in West Louisville, McAtee is now the fifth child Riley has to grieve. Like déjà vu, she had a similar experience this past January when her daughter passed away. McAtee is survived by Riley, four sisters, and two brothers.

St. Stephen Church’s Pastor Kevin Cosby took a few minutes to praise McAtee and pray with the family. 

“God only knows how many people he fed, which means he was willing to decrease so people could increase, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for justice. Can you think of anyone else who laid their life down for justice? Jesus Christ,” Rev. Cosby said.

McAtee remembered in part for feeding the community around him.

“When people pass that corner, they are going to remember him for those finger-licking delicious ribs, and just the caring person he was,” said Brenda Brookins, Riley's goddaughter.

Brookins said McAtee was known for not only serving his customers but also feeding the homeless and local police officers for free.

“He was just a caring soul,” Brookins told reporters on Friday.

McAtee also nourished his family with love, especially at family events. Brookins and Johnson said he was known to cater the gatherings and also play DJ. 

“It’s going to be a hole so deep that I don’t know how or who can even try to attempt to fill his shoes for what he’s done in our family,” Johnson said.

McAtee’s funeral will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 1 p.m. ET at Canaan Christian Church. A mask is required to attend.

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