A day of great emotion and tears as 1,500 friends and family converged on Saturday 18th February, 2012 at the redbrick New Hope Baptist Church in Whitney’s home town of Newark, New Jersey, to pay tribute to the Musical Icon, who passed away recently.
Celebrities at the service included Mariah Carey, The Winans Family,Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Stevie Wonder, R.Kelly, Brandy, Ray J and many more who came out en masse to celebrate one of their own. Men of the Clergy at the service were Bishop TD Jakes, Revd. Marvin Winans,Revd. Jesse Jackson, Rev.Al Sharpton.
Whitney's godmother and legendary singer Aretha Franklin, was unable to attend due to illness.
The service began with the choir, which comprised of the New Hope Mass Choir and the New Jersey Mass Choir, rendering soothing songs as the guests filed in for the service. All dressed in white, as the band played softly, the choir sang in a hushed voice, “Whitney, Whitney, Whitney.”
A programme featuring a picture of Whitney, read “Celebrating the life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a child of God.” Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston and daughter, Bobbi Kristina filled the program.
Soon enough the golden hearse carrying the singer’s body arrived at the church after making the short journey from the Whigham funeral home, followed by three gold limos carrying close family.
The golden casket was then carried into the church.
Grieving mother Cissy Houston, a successful singer in the 1960s and 70s, tightly clasped the hand of Whitney’s 18-year-old daughter Bobbi as they sat behind the coffin.
In an emotional letter to her daughter in the order of service, Cissy wrote: “I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me forlong. ‘And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.”
Cissy, who has led the 200 member Youth Inspirational Choir at the Newark church for the last 50 years, signed the letter simply as “Mommie”.
The Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker opened the service, saying: “We’re here to mourn our loss but celebrate her life. God is in heaven but with him is one of our angels, Whitney Houston.
.Few minutes into the service, Whitney's Ex husband, Bobby Brown, who had earlier paid his respects by walking up to the coffin and touched it, was seen leaving the church, looking distraught.
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| Bobby Brown with his children (at the funeral) |
Back inside, The choir, led by a female soloist, sang a special rendition of Psalm 23 "The Lord is my Shepherd".
Pastor Joe Carter, the resident pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church said the opening prayer and welcomed everyone to the service saying "Today we celebrate Whitney by having church..yes Whitney, you are the only one who could bring us all together".
He acknowledged Whitney's family and continued by saying "The loving people you see, this loving family... their faith is holding them together. We want to support and strengthen this family in this hour.”
After which, he called on, Rev. Donnie McClurkin to perform his song, STAND, which was a special request from the Houston family.
The song was sung so powerfully that none was left sitting as the last strings of the song came to a rest.
Handling the following sessions of the service was Whitney's cousin, Dionne Warwick,who introduced all participating artistes and personalities paying special tributes to Whitney Houston.
Up first, she called on popular film producer and actor, Tyler Perry, who gave an outstanding tribute to the late singer, saying that no matter how heavy or overwhelmed Whitney was, whenever they were together, Whitney always started her remarks with the words "But for my Lord & Savior". He went on to state ever so passionately that "Whitney loved the Lord, despite all her crises and troubles and Nothing could separate her from the Love of God. Grace gave her to us; carried her through and it is this same Grace that carried her home"
Bebe Winas was up next, trying hard to hold back the tears as he spoke and sang "I really miss you".
Bishop TD Jakes (senior pastor of Potters House) spoke therafter and with his few words of expression, He encouraged everyone that "Death has not WON! Your tears may fall, the pain will come, the flowers may whither but Love has already paid the price. People would leave you outwardly but they remain with you inwardly. Remember, it's a lie! DEATH HAS NOT WON! Love will last forever for GOD IS LOVE!"
Next artiste, Kim Burrell, who was initially going to sing Whitney's "I believe in You and Me", with permission from the Houston Family, decided to sing a more personalised dedication to Whitney as she sang a modified version of Sam Cooks' "Change is gonna Come".
Called up next was actor Kevin Costner, who Whitney co-starred with in the movie, "The BodyGuard".
Kevin gave the most passionate tribute of the service as he reminisced on their friendship and working relationship. He stated that they had things in common as they both grew up in baptist churches and his grandma was also a choir director.
He says "It was easy for us to laugh at our church-day memories, Church was all we knew"
He spoke about their time together as they shot the movie "The BodyGuard", saying "Nobody else could have played that role but you".
More on Whitney, he spoke of her seeming strong desire to always please and be good enough for everyone as he said "Whitney, you weren't just good enough, you were great. People didn't just like you, they loved you. Those who sing your songs now are young girls just like you, dreaming to be like you and you would tell them now, if you could - Guard your bodies, the precious miracle of your life & sing your heart out. Off you go, Whitney...escorted by the angels. When you sing before God, don't you worry. YOU'LL BE GOOD ENOUGH!!"
Alicia Keys was next in line for her own tribute and she was overwhelmed for a few minutes as she wiped away her tears and remembered a mentor whom she dearly called "MeeMa" saying "She's been and is an angel to myself, Brandy, all the younger artistes she always reached out to".
She sang her own special dedication, "Send Me an Angel" to the memory of Whitney.
Clive Davis, longtime mentor, business partner and friend of Whitney Houston gave his tribute, right after, saying "Whitney lived music, Whitney loved music. She was one of a kind. Yes, she confessed to her crises but she was my friend. She was always there whenever i needed her".
He also spoke of his last conversation with Whitney on Tuesday 7th of February at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. He said " She'd told me she was getting back in shape, swimming 1-2 hours a day and that by August, she's gonna get her high notes back and now I'm holding her to her word. I'm sure she's would get the angels and God up on their feet when she raises the roof up there"
Speaking next was Whitney's Bodyguard for 11 years, Ray Watson. He spoke of their friendship while he was on the job. He says "I lost a friend, a sister and a boss. That day when I saw she'd gone, I felt so lost but suddenly I felt her spirit come to me and say "Now you are free".
He also admonished everyone to treat all entertainers and artistes with integrity and love as they give their lives, are on the road, in the air, leaving their families behind, just to make lives of others much smoother by the power of entertainment.
Music Maestro, Stevie Wonder performed thereafter, "Ribbon in the Sky", with a twist on the lyrics, specially dedicated to Whitney. He said, "In my own fantasy world, i had a little crush on Whitney". He was called back to sing "Love's in need of love today".
Patricia Houston, Whitney's Manager& Sister in Law also spoke few words. She gave a grand expression of gratitude to a long list of everyone who had ever been a part of Whitney's career and growth.
R-Kelly came right up, afterward to perform Whitney's last major hit single, "I look to You".
He gave a very emotional rendition of the song, which he had written for Whitney's last album.The entire audience joined in and sang along with R-Kelly.
Dionne Warwick took out time, from the introduction of artistes, to give her own brief tribute. A touching line of words which emphasised on the phrase "God wanted me now".
Up Next was Cece Winans singing "Don't Cry for me". As she ended the song, she called on everyone to join her to sing Whitney's favourite song "Jesus loves me".
As all sang, Cece Houston, Whitney's mum broke down into uncontrollable tears as a nurse rushed to her side to hold her.
Rickey Minor, Whitney's Music Manager was called upon for his tribute - "That style, that face, that grace..I loved Whitney for all those things and more. I believe she was my gift"
Few minutes after, Rev. Marvin Winans was up on the pulpit to give the eulogy for the service.
Firsly, he called up members of the Winans family, including his twin brother, Carvin, his son, Marvin Jnr, Bebe & Cece, Angie & Debbie Winans, to sing "Tomorrow", a song made popular by The Winans group of which Rev Winans, and his brother Carvin were a part of.
Carvin and Bebe led the song with Rev. Marvin playing on the piano.
Speaking to Cissy Houston, Rev. Marvin said "You brought the world to church today".
It was a real breathtaking moment as He spoke words of encouragement to everyone.
Rev Marvin ended the service, with the choir, singing "God has spoken, let the church say Amen"
At this point, all the clergy at the service came down from their seats to greet Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina.
The service was officially over and with proper instructions given on the mode of recession out of the church hall, The voice of Whitney Houston came up on the speakers singing her classical piece "I will always Love you".
An emotional recession it was as her golden casket was wheeled out. R& B artiste, Ray J, who's known to have dated Whitney briefly, was inconsolable and in tears as he reached out to touch the casket.
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| Whitney's Casket carried out (see RayJ on the right, touching casket) |
Cissy Houston, walking down the aisle behind the casket, was held on both sides by two women as she grieved the loss of her daughter, Bobbi Kristina followed directly behind,along with other members of the family .
Whitney Houston was buried at Fair View Cemetery in Westfield at a private ceremony on Sunday 19th February, in a plot next to her beloved dad John, who died in 2003. He always called her by the pet name “Nippy” and the petname was written on the inner cover of her casket.
PS: From WaHOLAAA, we say... "WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, WHITNEY"
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