LIVE VIDEO ? Friends and family gather at the funeral of singer Whitney Houston in Newark, N.J.
By TODAY.com news services
NEWARK, N.J. -- Many of the biggest names in entertainment?gathered Saturday to say goodbye to singer Whitney Houston in?the church in Newark, N.J., where the late singer, who died on Feb. 11, started her singing career in the choir.
Pastor Joe A.?Carter of the New Hope Baptist Church opened Saturday's service by telling the congregation that "we gonna have church today."
Actor-director-writer Tyler Perry was among the speakers at the service, and he reflected what he called the one constant in Houston's life -- her grace. He told the congregation that no matter the trouble that she encountered in her life, Houston's faith remained constant.
The?family prepared a "going home" service where singer Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin, music mogul Clive Davis, who shepherded Houston's career for decades, actor Kevin Costner and sister-in-law Patricia Houston were to speak. Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly and gospel stars CeCe and Bebe Winans were to sing. Houston's voice, a recording of her biggest hit, "I Will Always Love You," was to close the funeral.
Close family friend Aretha Franklin, whom Houston lovingly called "Aunt Ree," had been expected to sing at the service, but told the Associated Press that she was having foot and leg problems following a concert she gave Friday night at New York's Radio City Music Hall and would not be able to attend.
Singers Chaka Khan, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson were among those filling pews. Brandy comforted her brother, Ray-J, a singer who spent time with Houston during her final days. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Lela Rochon were also gathering as the choir began to sing gospel and the congregation clapped. Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are also in attendance.
Houston's ex-husband, singer Bobby Brown, also is among the mourners. Rumors swirled in the past week that Brown would not be in attendance.
A program featuring a picture of Houston looking skyward read "Celebrating the life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a child of God." Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston and daughter, Bobbi Kristina filled the program. Her mother wrote a letter thanking her for being a "wonderful daughter," signing the letter, "mommie."
The service marks one week after the 48-year-old Houston, one of music's all-time biggest stars, was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel in California. A cause of death has yet to be determined. An estimated 1,500 friends and family members are expected to attend the invitation-only service. Houston will be buried next to her father, John Houston, in Westfield, N.J.
Houston's death marked the final chapter for the superstar whose fall from grace while shocking was years in the making. Houston had her first No. 1 hit by the time she was 22, followed by a flurry of No. 1 songs and multi-platinum records.
Over her career, she sold more than 50 million records in the United States alone. Her voice, an ideal blend of power, grace and beauty, made classics out of songs like "Saving All My Love For You," "I Will Always Love You," "The Greatest Love of All" and "I'm Every Woman." Her six Grammys were only a fraction of her many awards.
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