It was a cloudy day in Newark, New Jersey as the stars started rolling in for Whitney Houston’s “Going Home” service at the New Hope Baptist Church.
It was a star-studded service, but never once was the focus trying to be geared in any other direction other than to Miss Whitney Elizabeth Houston.
This televised service was amazing in my opinion. I felt like I went to church today and it was a great feeling.
The Winans Family have been friends with the Houston’s for years. While Bebe was trying to be composed, you could see the tears he was holding back. Same goes for everyone else, though.
Tyler Perry delivered an amazing speech about Whitney and mentioned how she always had faith in God. There were so many times everyone there was clapping their hands because everyone in that room also knew that was true of their beloved Nippy.
Kevin Costner came out and shared his love for Whitney and her beautiful voice. Whitney’s industry father, Clive Davis came out and talked about her and even addressed Bobbi Kristina and Cissy Houston saying Whitney will always “hold her hand.”
That’s when the water works started for me. That was deep.
Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R.Kelly (really?), BeBe Winans all sang heartfelt songs about Houston and I didn’t know how they were able to sing as marvelous as they did.
They all had moments you knew they wanted to just cry, but they didn’t for the sake of Whitney, Cissy, and Bobbi Kristina.
Marvin Winans delivered the eulogy and brought up the rest of the Winans Family to sing “Tomorrow,” a gospel hit by the family.
You could see everyone hugging Cissy and Bobbi Kristina after they spoke or sang and given the situation, things seemed to be on a positive note (sort of, kind of).
After almost four hours the service was done and as the preparations for the exit were about to start, “I Will Always Love You” starts playing in the church and that’s when the waterworks start… again.
Then I see a glimpse of Ray J who is bawling his eyes out while reaching out to Whitney’s casket and again…waterworks.
Behind the casket is Cissy Houston who needs help walking and just thinking that a mother having to bury her own child brings me to the ultimate waterworks session of the day.
There was a smidge of drama because Bobby Brown was reportedly not happy with the security treating him and his family. Reverend Al Sharpton even tweeted about it, but Brown was in and out of there within minutes.
Whitney Houston may have had a troubled past, but her beautiful voice will forever live in my heart and my iPod.
She will be laid to rest tomorrow in a private burial in Westfield, New Jersey tomorrow next to her father, John Russell Houston.
RIP, Whitney.
Girlfriend, I cried reading your blog. Sad, sad, sad for everyone.
I cried editing it.
It really was sad. Such a unique, world-class talent that turned away from her first love. The world loved her music and people loved her genuinely. I guess it boils down to life choices and she made a couple of bad ones. What a waste of pure, raw talent!