The Queen of Soul: Rest in Peace

Kathy Juniel planned her day around coverage of Aretha Franklin’s homegoing service. A longtime fan, the retired teacher spent hours watching the star-studded and moving program which included a former President, Hollywood elite, and Detroiters who had come to say goodbye to one of their own.

“I have always enjoyed Aretha’s music…growing up and throughout my life,” Juniel said. “This morning, I had on my pj’s, and I thought, ‘I’ve got to put on something for Aretha’s funeral.’  I put on some black pants and a black shirt, and I was dressed for the funeral. I wanted to be presentable. I told a friend, ‘I think I need on some lipstick.’”

The service lasted hours with tributes from neighbors, family, and friends as well as the famous. The pastor who eulogized Ms. Franklin’s father more than three decades ago spoke at her funeral. President Bill Clinton joined Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan and Bishop T.D. Jakes in praising the beloved Queen of Soul.

“This woman got us all in the seats today not because of her music, but because she lived with courage,” said Clinton. “Not without fear but overcoming her fears. She lived with faith, not without failure, but overcoming her failures. She lived with power, not without weakness but overcoming her weaknesses. I just love her.”

Those sentiments were echoed repeatedly throughout the day by those in Greater Grace Temple and those who watched from afar. And, it was evident Ms. Franklin’s music transcended race, geography, and age with millennial star Arianna Grande featured as one of the singers at the program. Jennifer Hudson brought the church to its feet with a stirring version of Amazing Grace.

Janell Nation and her friend, Alexis Butler, cradled their smartphones as they watched the service.

“I was born in Detroit,” said Butler. “My mom and stepdad listened to a lot of old R & B, and that’s how I know of Aretha Franklin.”

The two 19-year-old college students sat outside of their classrooms and traded observations.

Nation remarked, “It is packed! I’ve seen a few celebrities and influential people in there.”

“Every since they announced her death, I’ve been trying to see when the funeral would be held,” she added.

Another college student, Leonard Jones, said his grandmother and grandfather “had a pickup truck with a cassette player” and that’s how he first listened to the Queen’s music.

For Juniel, though, the memories were woven throughout the years. “She was just like the girl next door…like someone you personally knew. It seems like she made everybody feel like somebody.”