Whitney Houston went to church one last time Saturday. She was welcomed by family, friends and a virtual audience of millions who watched as the pop superstar was remembered as a child of God with the voice of an angel. A voice that never forgot its roots."Jesus Loves Me" was the last song Houston sang in public before her death February 11 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48.
My crew was NOT inside the church but in the media area. CNN and the AP finally got the feed agreement going as CNN began to broadcast the feed along with anchors Soledad O'Brien and Piers Morgan sitting yards away. Most people followed me @HipHossip on Twitter. Dionne Warwick, her cousin presided the service introducing speakers and guests.
Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly -- heard the simple, but powerful, "Jesus Loves Me," this time performed by CeCe Winans.Saturday's homegoing service was held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston, nicknamed "Nippy," was soloing in the junior choir by age 11.
Filmmaker Tyler Perry praised Houston's "grace that kept on carrying her all the way through, the same grace led her all the way to the top of the charts. She sang for presidents." Even with her ensuing fame, which brought six Grammy Awards, glamorous living and parties on the West Coast, and seven consecutive No. 1 singles, Houston never forgot her Newark, New Jersey, hometown. Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in her first movie, "The Bodyguard," recounted how both of them grew up in the Baptist faith and had family members who sang in the choir."Church was our bond," Costner said.
Houston, the actor said, overcame her doubts about having what it took to earn the role in "The Bodyguard." She alone, Costner said, was the right choice."Now you are gone, too soon, leaving us with memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this church, in front of the ones that loved you first," Costner said. "In front of the ones who loved you the best and loved you the longest. And boldly you stepped into the white hot light of the world's stage."
Singer Whitney Houston is "raising the roof" in heaven today, her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis, told mourners, who were doing some musical feats of their own at a memorial service for Houston in Newark, N.J. During the three-and-a-half-hour service, Houston's casket, covered with a large spray of flowers, rested in front of the altar.
While many of her fans lamented the fact that Houston's service was invitation-only, Pastor Marvin Winans, who delivered the eulogy, thanked Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, for having the service at New Hope."That took a lot of courage. And because of that you brought the world to church today," Winans said during his eulogy.
The six-page funeral program contained color family photos and a letter from Cissy Houston.The letter included the message:
"God said 'It's time, Nippy. Your work is done.'" It was signed, "Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter. Love, Mommie."
Houston also left behind a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18.Through the tears and occasional laughter, performers and speakers spoke of Houston's loyalty.
One of the most emotional moments in the service came when Keys sang "Send Me an Angel," her voice soaring into the rafters of the sanctuary.Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Spike Lee, and Houston's former husband, Bobby Brown, were among those in attendance. Brown walked by Houston's casket with his head down before the service began. Police said Brown and his entourage later left the church during the service.
What's going on with Bobby Brown and company? They were all crying outside and even went back into the LIMO!! Well Bobby was upset that he wasn't treated well and was shoved around three times in the church and he stormed out claiming he was not allowed to see his ex-wife and his daughter.
Rev Al Sharpton speaking with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down outside and not distract from the services. Bobby left the services. He was not denied entry, he chose to leave and I feel he did the right thing. Hopefully he will be at the burial. Bobby later released a statement below.
When the casket was leaving the church, you could visibly see Ray J touching the casket crying hard. It was too sad to look at. Patricia Houston, her sister-in-law, Gary's wife and Manager thanked so many people including Oprah, Diane Sawyer, Dionne Warwick, Tyler Perry, The Winans, Donnie McClurkin and more.
"She put the Spark in Sparkle and Bobbi Kristina that was for u. Her work ethics was impeccable." Patricia Houston said of Whitney on the movie set of Sparkle, her upcoming movie in August 2012.
"The smile, the face, the grace" Rickey Minor who ran Whitney's band and now runs the Tonight Show band with Jay Leno said,
We thank you for this life of Whitney Elizabeth Nippy Houston Pastor Marvin Winans said.
The most powerful moment was reserved for the end. As Houston's casket was carried out, her hit "I Will Always Love You" played. The AP reported that Bobbi Kristina began crying, and the sobs of Houston's mother rang throughout the church."My baby!" she wailed.
Ray Watson, Houston's bodyguard, recalled some of his last interactions with the singer."In our final days, she came in my room and she began to speak biblically," he said. "She laid her head on my shoulder and said, 'We are gonna be all right.'Speakers, including Bishop T.D. Jakes and director-producer Tyler Perry, spoke of the promise of tomorrow."Death has not won. Your tears may flow.
The flowers might wither," Jakes said. "You will find people you love may leave you outwardly, but (they) will not leave you inwardly."At the conclusion of the service, Houston's iconic recording of "I Will Always Love You" was played as her coffin was removed from the sanctuary. Her mother leaned on her escorts as they helped her down the aisle.Houston will be laid to rest Sunday at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, just south of Newark. She has come home.
With files and photos from CNN, AP and HipHossip, INF, Splash news, AP, Reuters
