Funeral For Aretha Fills Church With Prayers And Stars

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Source: Associated Press

By JEFF KAROUB, Associated Press, 3 hrs. ago.

DETROIT — An all-star lineup of mourners filled a Detroit church with prayers and songs Friday for Aretha Franklin's funeral, honoring her not just as the Queen of Soul but also as a lifelong friend, family member, churchgoer and activist.

Guests at the Greater Grace Temple included former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson.

Robinson, the Motown great, remembered first hearing her play piano when he was just 8 and remaining close for the rest of her life, talking for hours at a time. "You're so special," he said, before crooning a few lines from his song "Really Gonna Miss You." "Really gonna miss you, really gonna be different without you," he sang.

Expected to last several hours, the service encompassed many elements, emotions and grand entrances that were hallmarks of her more than six decades on sacred and secular stages. It was a send-off both grand and personal.

Ariana Grande sang one of the Queen of Soul's biggest hits, '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,' and Faith Hill performed 'What a Friend We Have In Jesus.'..More...


Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/funeral-for-aretha-fills-church-with-prayers-and-stars/ar-BBMGgtH?li=BBnbcA1

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The Aretha Franklin Orchestra performed a medley featuring "I Say a Little Prayer," ''Angel" and other songs the Queen of Soul was known for, along with gospel numbers "I Love the Lord" and "Walk in the Light." The Rev. Al Sharpton read a statement from former President Obama, who wrote that Franklin's "work reflected the very best of the American story."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson told Aretha Franklin to "sleep on" and "I'll see you in the morning." He led mourners in a prayer of thanks for Aretha and her minister father, asking that God make all in the church "better, not bitter," by the time the day is over. Jackson said "Aretha's not lost, we know where she is."

Floral arrangements from singers such as Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett and from the family of the late Otis Redding, whose "Respect" Franklin transformed and made her signature song, graced a hallway outside the sanctuary.

Detroit has plans to honor one of its most famous residents. Mayor Mike Duggan announced during the service Friday that the city would rename the riverfront amphitheater Chene Park to "Aretha Franklin Park." His proposal was seconded by Brenda James, city council president.



Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Daughter of Detroit, 1942-2018

[samnsara]

1. did Obama attend?

[catbyte]

2. Wasn't he in Washington to give John McCain's eulogy? I think that was today.

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5. #4

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12. PHOTOS: Aretha Franklin's Soul Celebrated At Funeral, NPR

Victorie Franklin spoke at the funeral. "I remember when I was a kid, people used to always ask me, 'What does it feel like to be Aretha Franklin's granddaughter?' " she said, according to CNN. "I would always shrug my shoulders and go, 'I don't know. It's just my grandma.' "



Fans of Aretha Franklin watch the funeral on a large screen outside the Detroit church.

MORE: https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/643632162/photos-aretha-franklins-soul-to-be-celebrated-at-funeral

[Haggis for Breakfast]

3. Isn't he eulogizing McCain today ?

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6. see #4

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4. President Bill Clinton represented presidents Bush and Obama,

and letters from them were read at the service by Rev. Al Sharpton per USA Today.

USA Today- Bill Clinton represented former presidents at the funeral of Aretha Franklin in Detroit, while Barack Obama and George W. Bush each sent letters in memory of Aretha Franklin that were read aloud by Rev. Al Sharpton and Barbara Sampson, respectively.

Obama and Bush remained in Washington for Saturday's memorial service for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who requested that each of them to speak.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/31/aretha-franklin-funeral-read-tributes-obama-bush-clinton/1158185002/

[ehrnst]

7. Thank you for reminding everyone of that. (nt)

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9. Sure thing.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

8. Was that Louis Farrakhan next to Rev. Al ?

What in the world was HE doing there ? I can't imagine that Sister 'Retha was a fan. But, I noticed that he doesn't look well. Is he in poor health ?

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10. Correct, I don't know about their relationship or his health. But

Jesse Jackson is in his late 70s and has Parkinson's, according to the article.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

11. Yes, I noticed that Rev. Jesse was moving slow and not talking much.

Farrakhan is 85 and about 10 years ago had prostate cancer, which he struggled with for some time. But he just looks rather frail. I was surprised to see him singing with Stevie -- OMG !!

Did you see Stevie Wonder ? He gave a harmonica solo that was glorious. NOBODY can make that little box sing as sweet as Stevie Wonder. He said that the greatest gift we have been given in life is love and we need to get back to loving one another. Then he sat down at the keys and played "I'll be loving you always." I was in tears.

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13. Steve Wonder was terrific, loved the harp and keyboard

songs esp. 'Always' with everyone joining in. He looks great too. What a beautiful service and memorial for the unforgettable Queen of Soul who gave us so much for generations.