The private service to honor and say farewell to music superstar Whitney Houston was referred to as a 'home going' by the roughly 1,500 family and friends who gathered Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
The event began on a joyful note, with almost 30 minutes of upbeat songs of praise from the all-white clad choir and full band, infusing a distinctly positive atmosphere into an occasion so full of both smiling remembrances but also sadness, especially for Houston's mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina. Both were seated directly in front of Houston's white flower-covered casket.
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The crowd included Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Mariah Carey prompting Reverend Joe Carter to announce “Whitney you’re the only one who could bring all of us together.
“Whitney, today is your day.”
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One of the first speakers was movie and TV producer Tyler Perry, who was working with Houston on the film “Sparkle” when she passed. Perry had the crowd going with an energetic address which included many proclamations of the singer’s strong faith.
“She sang for presidents,” Perry said, but reminded mourners of Houston’s humility by adding “Nothing was able to separate her from the love of God.”
Bebe Winans was among Houston’s closest friends and delivered one of the afternoon’s most touching moments. Struggling through tears he said, “What I’m gonna miss… is crazy Whitney,” drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd.
Winans explained how when Houston was “at the peak of her career” she had custom, colorful outfits made for Bebe and Cece Winans and insisted that she was going to sing backup for them. “That made Clive [Davis] so mad,” he said. Winans says Houston insisted because, as she put it, “Ya’ll broke, right?” before adding “And I’m rich, right?” Winans was laughing above the applause of the crowd and says Whitney wrapped it up by generously declaring “So I can do what I want for ya’ll.”
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His remarks were followed by powerful words of thanks and praise for Whitney from Bishop T.D. Jakes and gospel star Kim Burrell’s rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come.”
Houston’s “Bodyguard” co-star Kevin Costner explained that before their film together, people would wonder what the two could possibly have in common. “Quite a lot,” the actor said before lightheartedly detailing their respective upbringings in a Baptist church.
While frequently wiping his forehead, a solemn Costner acknowledged wondering if “maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go” before filming “The Bodyguard.” But concluded that “A lot of guys could have filled my part. You were the only one who could have played Rachel Marron at that time.”
He ended by saying, "Off you go, Whitney. Off you go ... escorted by an army of angels..."
Few people had a more influential role in Houston’s career and her life than music titan Clive Davis and his remarks appropriately focused on her musical legacy.
He looked directly to Whitney’s mother Cissy and told her the first time he heard the future star sing, “Your daughter stepped forward and shattered me with her version of ‘The Greatest Love of All.’”
“Is there any performance of ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’” he asked “That can ever remotely compare to hers?”
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“I loved her very much,” the Arista Records founder said. “She was purely, simply one of a kind.” And while acknowledging Whitney’s struggles with addiction, Davis pointed out that, “When I needed her, she was there. An eternally loyal friend.”
The remembrances were fittingly punctuated by musical performances, including songs from Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder who each sat at the piano and shared memories of Houston before singing.
An emphatic eulogy by Rev. Marvin Winans was preceded by members of his famous and talented family delivering their own performances. CeCe Winans belted out Whitney’s ballad “Don’t Cry” and her brothers Carvin and Marvin sang their song “Tomorrow.”
Marvin Winans explained the song was significant because it was the tune that led to him meeting Houston. He recalled when the Winans and Houston were both signed to the same label, the family got word Houston was also singing the song. They set out to meet her and would end up lifelong family friends.
The afternoon's stirring farewell concluded with an emotional scene, as pall bearers raised Houston's casket while "I Will Always Love You" was played; the star's voice bouncing off the church walls and filling it with a booming, final reminder of Houston's talent as her body was removed from her childhood house of worship.
Whitney Houston will be laid to rest on Sunday.
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