On Friday, August 31st the Music world will say good-bye to Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul.” The funeral is set to take place at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit with a limited guest list. Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. who eulogized her father Rev. CL Franklin will also eulogize the Queen of Soul at her request. My pastor (the younger brother of Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr.) and First Lady, Apostle Alton R. Williams, Sr and Elder Sherrilyn Williams will be among the special guest in attendance.
While the invited guest list is rather limited the world will still be watching. The Friday service will be made available for viewing on line, courtesy of the Associated Press. Nationally, Fox News and CNN both plan to air portions of the service.
Those scheduled to sing during the homecoming celebration include Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan and Faith Hill.
Guest speakers include President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Clive Davis.
It has also been confirmed that Music producer Clive Davis is planning a tribute concert to honor the Queen of Soul. It is currently slated to take place in November at Madison Square Garden.
Public viewings will be held August 28 and 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.
The legendary soul singer died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Thursday, August 16 at 9:50am. She was 76.