Farewell to a Beloved Queen

Fans of Aretha Franklin have paid tribute in many ways this week, visiting the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit where she lay in repose, attending memorial services at the church her father pastored, and attending a concert in her honor. And, the final farewell from family, friends, and a former President are being held today, two weeks after she passed from pancreatic cancer.

Security Plans

“There are several VIP’s, several family members, dignitaries and elected officials as well as members of the general public who will attend the service,” said Wright Wade, the deputy director of security at Greater Grace Temple where the funeral will be held.

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will attend the service. Music legend Stevie Wonder will sing as well as Jennifer Hudson, who was reportedly Ms. Franklin’s choice to play her in an upcoming biopic about the singer whose song “Respect” became an anthem for many during the 1960s.

The Public Is Invited

Hours before the service, the invitation-only program was changed to allow the first 1,000 members of the public lined up at the church to attend Friday’s service. For days now, fans from all around the world have traveled to Detroit to pay their respects. And, Detroiters have welcomed them in the spirit of their beloved native daughter, who received 18 Grammy awards during her superstar career.

Mary Frost, a Detroit minister, narrowly missed an opportunity to say goodbye at New Bethel Baptist Church.

“By the time, I made my way over there and found a parking space, there were tons of people over there,” she said. “I had actually started to leave…turned around…parked and walked about a block-and-half, and the police had shut down the line for the people to be able to go inside.”

Frost said during her attempts to make it inside the building she met a woman from New York who had visited Detroit to pay homage to Ms. Franklin. The two talked, focused on the fancy black hat Frost said she wore because she “wanted to be dressed” to see the Queen.

“Detroiters rise to the occasion,” said Wade. “Her father was the pastor of a church in the city, and that, in itself, will draw heartfelt condolences from residents,” Wade stated. “Detroit is where many artists were born and became well-known because of Motown. As I have learned, she was with Arista, but she came from Detroit. People genuinely loved her. She was personable, not standoffish, very humble and very loved.”

Greater Grace Temple Over the Years

According to Wade, the security team at Greater Grace has handled large crowds before for other high-profile funerals. Rosa Parks, Civil Rights icon, was eulogized there as well as Mayor Coleman Young, the first African American mayor of the city. Funeral services for boxer and sports commentator Emanuel Steward were also held at Greater Grace.

Wade said the church’s pastor, Bishop Charles Ellis, stressed the importance of “wholesome closure” for the family.

He emphasized, “We are not coming to have a sad funeral, but we won’t forget we are there to comfort a family who’s lost a loved one.”

In one of her most popular songs, “Freeway of Love”, Ms. Franklin helped elevate the status of the pink Cadillac which is famously driven by only the most successful representatives for Mary Kay Cosmetics. At the suggestion of the First Lady at Greater Grace, Wade said representatives had been invited to drive their cars to the church and close to 150 pink Cadillacs will possibly line the streets around the church.

“It is a fitting tribute,” he said. “And, it will be a day fit for a Queen.”