A phenomenal salute fit for a phenomenal woman!
Music icon and legend, Whitney Houston’s ‘Going Home‘ service was held today at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.
Cissy Houston truly brought the world to church today!
They’re were more stars at this service than the Grammy’s. Celebrity attendees include: Oprah Winfrey, Roberta Flack, Clive Davis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and More.
Gospel singer, Donnie Mcclurkin opened the ceremony with an outstanding rendition of his hit song “STAND”. Other performers include: Bebe Winans “I’m Gonna Miss You’ Kim Burell ‘Change Gon Come’ Alicia Keys, ‘Angel’ Stevie Wonder “Ribbon In The Sky” R.Kelly ‘I look To You’ , Cece Winans ‘Don’t Cry For Me’ and ‘Jesus Loves Me’.
Tyler Perry was one of the expression speakers at Houston’s service. Perry reminded us all “that grace saved her when she was a child, it carried along with her as she blossomed in her career, and grace later took her home.”
Actor Kevin Costner who co-starred along side Houston in the hit box office movie “The Bodyguard” also took the podium and shared a few stories of his time with Whitney.
Who’d of thought that Kevin and Whitney has so much in common?
Costner revealed that both he too grew up in as baptiste church and shared many church experiences like Whitney. Costner also talked about the making of The Body guard and noted that there was many criticisms and objections from his colleagues when he announced that he wanted Whitney to play his co-star.
She didn’t have the experience, this was her first movie role, she was a black woman but I believe that Whitney was the one person for this movie….and when she did her screen test with them… they fell in love in with her. say Costner.
Costner reminded us that Whitney was just like you and me; “she had fears, doubts, and like many famous people in this room she wanted to be the best at whatever she’d done”.
Other expression speakers included: Bishop T.D. Jakes, Houston’s music producer/director Ricky Minor, her sister-in law, cousin Dionne Warwick and manager Patricia Houston and long-time mentor, boss, and industry father Clive Davis all of whom reminded us of Houston’s undying love for music and her faith.
The service concluded with a performance by the Winan’s family
who sang ‘Tomorrow’ followed by a sermon from Pastor Marvin Winans. Whitney’s body carried out of the church as her hit song “I Will Always Love You” played.
Ray-J attended the service and was overwhelmed with tears as Whitney’s casket was carried out. The singer placed his hands on the casket and broke down into tears shorty thereafter as his sister, r&B singer Brandy consoled him.
An emotionally distraught Cissy Houston was seen guarded as she followed behind the casket of her beloved daughter.
Whitney’s body was carried away in a gold plated hearse followed by police escorts back to Whigham funeral home. Whitney will be laid to rest at the Fair View Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey tomorrow, Feb 19th. According to her death certificate, this is also where her father was buried back in 2003.
