As you may already know, the music world lost a very special lady last week. Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul” lost her battle with cancer. She parted with this world and she left behind so many people that were touched through her music, love and realness! There was no doubt that her “Homegoing” would be one for the books. She was honored by so many people from Bill Clinton, Tyler Perry, Isaiah Thomas, Clive Davis and Cicely Tyson.
Although Aretha was not born in Detroit, she moved there as a young girl where her father would raise her and give her a stable and solid upbringing, and that is where the Queen of Soul would be born! Aretha was also a single mother of four boys, and probably one of the most touching moments of her funeral was the image of her four children closing the casket for the last time.
GM Building Illuminated in Pink with the Respect!
Aretha had 3 outfit changes during the week of her viewing! (Yaas Queen)
Aretha was known for flashy dresses, sequin hats and the best of the best when it came to her fur coats and shoes! These are the last 3 outfits that the world would see her in…
The First outfit: A Powder Blue Dress and matching shoes.
Her Second outfit: A ruby red lace dress with a tulle skirt and 5-inch patent leather Christian Louboutin pumps.
Her Final outfit: A rose gold custom knit suit with pink beaded lace. She also wore a pink pearl necklace and earrings. Her shoes were rose gold sequin Louboutin heels.
Gold fit for a Queen!
Her casket was plated with 24K Gold and had her name written inside the lining of the casket. She was transported in a ivory, two-door 1940 Cadillac LaSalle which is the same vehicle that also transported her beloved father, the legendary pastor and civil rights figure the Rev. C.L. Franklin.
Pink Cadillac’s in honor of Aretha!
She not only loved the color pink, but her hit song talked about how much she loved a Pink Cadillac! Aretha being a beloved Detroiter AKA the Motor City. General Motors the maker of Cadillac put out a full page ad in the Detroit Free Press honoring Aretha. At her funeral there were more than 100 Pink Cadillac’s to honor the Queen! This was all thanks to Top Selling Consultants of Mary Kay that brought the vehicles to Detroit in respect of Aretha for her love of Pink Cadillac’s! How awesome is that!
One of the most biggest ways Aretha Franklin is being remembered is the announcement of renaming Chene Park Amphitheater to Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. It was made official just 4 days after Mayor Mike Duggan shared the news at the service for Franklin.
Here is a touching video of Cristal Franklin about how it felt to have this done in the honor of her Aunt!
Courtesy of The Detroit Free Press
Then this special moment happened! The Queen Of Soul was honored by the Queen of England. On Friday August 31, the morning of Aretha’s homegoing. Troops of the British Army did the changing of the color guard to Aretha’s RESPECT! It really shows that her presence was felt far beyond the streets of Detroit and made an impact on Queen’s all over the World!
I saw that tribute to her by the British Army and loved it! So special!
Awww! The Queen of England honoring the Queen of Soul with the band brought tears to my eyes! I can’t believe she’s gone. Rest in peace, Queen!