The church choir at the Greater Grace Temple sang Aretha Franklin’s “Say a Little Prayer” and her version of “Bridge over Troubled Water” as mourners arrived on Friday for the ceremony to mark the star’s passing. “Come on, this is a church service, lift your voice!” Bishop Charles Ellis III told mourners as they arrived. Mourners gather for Aretha Franklin’s funeral at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit Franklin’s family arrived to the sound of “You are the Source of My Strength.” Friends, family and stars filed past the open casket where the singer has laid. Her fourth and final outfit of the week was a sparkling, full-length gold dress with sequined heels. Singer Ariane Grande spoke with Hillary Clinton before the funeral service began. Franklin died on August 16 at the age of 76. Guests in attendance included former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. “She had the voice of a generation, maybe the voice of a century,” Clinton remarked, saying he had been a big fan of Franklin before he became president. Tyler Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Rev. Al Sharpton, Faith Hill, T.D. Jakes, Jennifer Holliday, Omarosa Manigault Newman, Rep. Maxine Waters and Detroit Mayor Mike… Read full this story
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