Gayle Falkenthal

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  22 Photos Images from Whitney Houston funeral Feb. 18, 2012

SAN DIEGO, Feb 18, 2012 – In her last act on Earth today, Whitney Houston took the world to church.

In an emotional, uplifting, spine tingling, rousing, humorous, inspiring, tremendously moving and ultimately fulfilling service watched by tens of millions in the United States and many more around the world, Grammy-award winning singer Whitney Houston was remembered at her hometown New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Presiding over the services was pastor and gospel singer Marvin L. Winans, who remarked at the end there were more celebrities present than at the Grammys a week ago. This was not an exaggeration. Houston’s cousin Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry, Ricky Minor, Kevin Costner, Kim Burrell, and BeBe and CeCe Winans were among the better-known names offering their thoughts and performances, to the 1,500 people in attendance. 

The guest list included Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Spike Lee, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, songwriter Diane Warren, actress Lela Rochon, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Queen Latifah, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Antonio "L.A." Reid, singers Darlene Love, Jennifer Hudson, Ray J, Brandy, Monica, Jordin Sparks and Valerie Simpson.

Sadly, Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin was not able to attend due to health problems. Just prior to the service, she issued this statement: "Regretfully, I am so sorry that I was unable to be with you at Whitney's service today. I had every intention of being there. But unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4:00 AM this morning following my concert last night, which I've been having for the last few days. I feel it necessary and very important to stay off my leg today as much as possible until concert time this evening. My heart goes out to my dear friend Cissy, Dionne, Bobbi Kristina and the rest of the family. May God keep them all. Aretha & the Franklin Family."

Alicia Keys took Aretha's spot, paying tribute and performing an emotional “Send Me An Angel” for friends and family at the funeral. She wept as she played, saying that Whitney “crept into everyone’s heart… She made us feel strong and loved and capable," recalling how she reached out to her other young artists.

Stevie Wonder paid tribute to Whitney Houston at her funeral service. Photo: WENN.

Stevie Wonder sang "Ribbon in the Sky," changing the lyrics with references to Houston. He said millions would continue to love the singer. R. Kelly sang one of Houston’s most recent hits, "I Look to You." CeCe Winans, of the Winans music family, performed "Don't Cry for Me.”

An emotional BeBe Winans shared memories of Houston, eliciting laughs when he said, "What I'm going to miss is crazy Whitney," he said. He spoke of her love for his family, closing with a heartfelt version of "I Really Miss You."

Houston’s deep Baptist faith and Christian beliefs were referenced many times during the service. Sister-in-law Patricia Houston talked about the singer’s love for God, which never left her. Director-producer Tyler Perry spoke of Houston’s grace. Her cousin Dionne Warwick spoke of God calling Whitney to His side. Actor Kevin Costner evoked his own Baptist upbringing and spoke with humor and grace about working with Houston on the film “The Bodyguard.”

Reverend Marvin Winans delivered a powerful eulogy to conclude Whitney Houston's memorial service. Photo: WENN.

Pastor Winans closed with a powerful sermon about God’s purpose and faith. "When I get in the middle of the valley, that's not the time to leave my faith," Winans said. "If God has me in the middle of a sunny afternoon, then he has to have me in the middle of a dark night."

Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown arrived, entered the church briefly, but had an incident with security personnel and left with his entourage during the services in obvious emotional distress. He said security asked him to move three separate times when he insisted his group of nine be seated together.

Upon the conclusion of the service, Houston’s golden casket was lifted aloft to the sound of her own voice singing "I Will Always Love You." Her daughter Bobbi Kristina and her mother Cissy Houston were both crying, as were viewers around the world.

The winter sunshine glittered off her casket as it was placed into the hearse, carrying her to the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey. Houston will be buried on Sunday, next to her father who was laid to rest there in 2003.

Houston died one week ago in Los Angeles, where she had planned to attend a traditional pre-Grammys part held by her mentor Clive Davis. She was 48 years old, and is succeeded by her daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18.

Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, is President/Owner of the Falcon Valley Group in San Diego, California. Read more Media Migraine in the Communities at The Washington Times. Follow Gayle on Facebook and on Twitter @PRProSanDiego.

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