NEWARK, N.J. (AP) 鈥� Dionne Warwick, BeBe Winans, Darlene Love and a massive choir helped celebrate the life of during a music-filled memorial Thursday in the Duchess of Gospel鈥檚 hometown of Newark.
The ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church 鈥� where Houston was a congregant and choir leader for decades 鈥� was decorated with framed photos of Houston and her coffin was placed in front of the pulpit. The church also held funeral more than a decade ago.
鈥淪he gave so much. She gave me the right to be me,鈥� said Warwick, 83, the 91-year-old Houston鈥檚 niece. 鈥淐issy, I鈥檓 going to miss you.鈥�
Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, died Oct. 7.
A portrait emerged from the speakers of a woman of great faith and deep love but also one who suffered fools poorly. 鈥淣o one else could cut you in Jesus鈥� name,鈥� Winans joked as the mourners roared. 鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 have to say words. She could cut you with her eyes.鈥�
He also told a story of her compassion: When Whitney Houston died, Winans got a call from Cissy. 鈥淚鈥檓 just calling to check on you,鈥� she told him. 鈥滱t that moment, her strength became my strength.鈥�
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka read a proclamation created in her honor and Gov. Phil Murphy called Houston a 鈥渕usical legend鈥� who 鈥渆mbodied the very soul of New Jersey.鈥�
鈥淲hile each one of us are born with a voice, only a select few of us are endowed with a voice that is powerful enough to reach into the hearts of millions and millions of listeners around the world, a voice that is powerful enough to soothe the pain of heartbreak or to carry the euphoria of falling in love,鈥� the governor said.
Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press
