Monday 20 February 2012

RIP WHITNEY HOUSTON

AFTER all the testimonials from relatives and friends, the songs from legends and pop stars, the raw emotion of Whitney Houston's funeral came down to just one moment: The sound of her own voice.

As the strains of her biggest record, I Will Always Love You, filled the New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey at the end of the nearly four-hour service on Saturday (local time), her silver-and-gold casket was lifted in the air.

The weight of the moment was too much for her mother to bear and Gospel singer Cissy Houston wailed, "My baby! My baby!" as she was held up by two women and led out of the church behind her daughter's body.

FUNERAL.....The coffin holding the remains of Whitney Houston is carried to a hearse after funeral services.

A few steps behind her was the pop icon's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, also crying uncontrollably as she was comforted by Houston's close friend, singer Ray J.

Houston, 48, was found dead with her face underwater in a hotel bath on Feb 11. She will be buried next to her father, John Houston.

Blessed with a voice of great power and beauty, Houston became one of pop music's most successful artists over a career that spanned nearly three decades and segued into film with hits like The Bodyguard.

But her life was not without struggles. An addiction to drugs and a tumultuous union with ex-husband Bobby Brown saw her tumbling from grace.

Both sides of Houston were recalled at the service, which was filled with about 300 mourners, including Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Diane Sawyer and Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick.

Fittingly, music played a major role in the send-off to one of music's greatest voices.

Stevie Wonder re-wrote lyrics to Ribbon in the Sky for Houston - "you will always be a ribbon in the sky" he sang.

So did gospel's the Rev. Kim Burrell for A Change is Gonna Come, which Warwick said was Houston's favourite song of all time.

R. Kelly brought the church to its feet with a stirring version of I Look to You and Alicia Keys dedicated her song Send Me An Angel to Houston.

Brown briefly appeared at the funeral, walking to the casket, touching it and walking out. He later said in a statement that he and his children were asked repeatedly to move and he left rather than risk creating a scene.

STANDING..... Bobby Brown (left) standing outside the church during funeral services for his ex-wife.

As the funeral began, mourners fell quiet as three police officers escorted Houston's casket, draped with white roses and purple lilies.

A programme 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 and daughter filled the programme.

"I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long," Cissy wrote in a letter to her daughter.

"And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years. Rest, my baby girl in peace,” the letter is signed "Mommie".

SING....Fans sing Whitney Houston songs as they gather a few blocks from the church before the singer's funeral

On Saturday, fans were kept blocks from the church and the invitation-only funeral, but their presence was felt.

A huge shrine of heart-shaped balloons and personal messages covered the street corner around the church entrance. (AP)

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