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Make no mistake this is a service, not a show.
Bishop Charles Ellis III of Greater Grace has one agenda for legendary singer Aretha Franklin's funeral, that those in attendance will have a spiritual awakening. And from the looks of things that's more than likely to happen. Ellis said of the service:
It is my goal and my aim to ensure that people leave here with some kind of spiritual awakening. This is not a concert, this is not a show, this is not an awards production. This is a real life that has been lived, that a person regardless of how famous she became no matter how many people she touched around the world, she still could not escape death. And hopefully, a lot of people here with money and fame and influence and friends and notoriety and wealth, hopefully they will think of their mortality and say there is something bigger than fame, there is something bigger than Hollywood, something bigger than being a recording artist and selling gold albums or what have you.
Even so, there is quite the A list of attendee slated to perform such as Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Faith Hill, Fantasia, Ronald Isley, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hioliday, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan and The Clark Sisters. Those speaking include Cicely Tyson, Jesse Jackson and Former President Bill Clinton.
The Detroit Free Press printed the schedule calling it "epic"
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
This is @CorEyPTownsend, clear your calendars and grab your best bereavement garment because today's the day we pay… https://t.co/D2kWCJgsIY— The Root (@The Root) 1535725439.0
#ArethaFranklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won 18 Grammy Awards, earne… https://t.co/8zP5FWjFKP— ESSENCE (@ESSENCE) 1535726371.0
It might very well be a funeral for the great Queen of Soul but folks were live tweeting as if it were the Grammy Awards.
Aretha Franklin's funeral was supposed to start @10 its 11:10 people still walking in. SHE'S got 5pastors speaking.… https://t.co/s8nWAJxjPl— Me (@Me) 1535728239.0
Wigs being askew at Aretha’s funeral is similar to flags flying half mast. It’s a sign of respect… https://t.co/pP5y3IR5Ac— Steph Not Curry (@Steph Not Curry) 1535726150.0
He really said he thought Ariana grande was a new menu item at Taco Bell #ArethaFranklinFuneral #ArethaHomegoing https://t.co/THZvVGB4lc— 🎃Sunset Boulevardez🎃 (@🎃Sunset Boulevardez🎃) 1535733042.0
How I look sitting in my room with my church hat on streaming #ArethaFranklinFuneral https://t.co/y2523dfrkT— TINA TURNER’S INSURED LEGS (@TINA TURNER’S INSURED LEGS) 1535724719.0
All the aunties in the church staring at Ariana’s outfit like... #ArethaFranklinFuneral https://t.co/vk0RmZMpJ8— Sasha Thumper (@Sasha Thumper) 1535733007.0
Let me get my fan ready...... #ArethaFranklinFuneral #ArethaHomegoing https://t.co/BGwrWlUatp— Double L must Rock The Bells (@Double L must Rock The Bells) 1535725151.0
This choir is singing like they know for certain, Aretha crossed that Jordan river over to Glory. I’m going to pu… https://t.co/B9Cq1N3S2K— Ro'chelle Williams (@Ro'chelle Williams) 1535729355.0
Peak Blackness has been officially reached after Auntie Maxine has done the Wakanda salute during #ArethaHomegoing. https://t.co/Xpjgh7xVMv— Ernest Owens (@Ernest Owens) 1535738182.0
Some Twitter users were a tad worried about the time and had some advice for those in attendance.
Aretha deserves the homegoing she's earned. Hope somebody's passing out candy. Folks blood sugar is so low unconsci… https://t.co/BnyOB5OyLk— I am who I am. (@I am who I am.) 1535740399.0
Fantasia ain't even sang yet laawd #arethahomegoing https://t.co/ciVoryLqQI— Roxie (@Roxie) 1535740454.0
Y’all we haven’t made it off the first page!!! #ArethaHomegoing https://t.co/gk4fd0OLVN— Tony (@Tony) 1535736474.0
And some worried that the white folks wouldn't be able to keep up.
White people at the funeral looking for "praise break" in the program. #ArethaHomegoing https://t.co/6hKohA30WV— Lil Chloe Wade (@Lil Chloe Wade) 1535735867.0
Y'all the white people in the audience at #ArethaHomegoing are fading, please someone give em a snack, a packet of… https://t.co/10g0iHqFeT— Pfizah-Baddie 😉 (@Pfizah-Baddie 😉) 1535740882.0
White people are watching like what’s going on here? This is the spirit moving. #ArethaHomegoing— Hair Bonnet Police (@Hair Bonnet Police) 1535735350.0
I know white people at this service wish they could grab that easy button for a morning do over...… https://t.co/HIRtqp5GwU— Jason Obioha (@Jason Obioha) 1535738190.0
I wonder how many white people are perplexed (and/or delighted) by this #ArethaHomegoing right now...🤔🤔🤔 😂😂😂 This funeral is REAL DEAL!❤️❤️— Gail the Homebody (@Gail the Homebody) 1535735397.0
I know #ArethaHomegoing is the Blackest funeral ever because it started at 12 and was scheduled to be done at 3 but… https://t.co/wdQAMQRcMb— don crescendo (@don crescendo) 1535738469.0
White people at Aretha’s funeral like damn are we gonna make it to John McCain’s funeral on time. #ArethaHomegoing— sroleda (@sroleda) 1535729267.0
The homegoing ends when the homegoing ends, so take a seat.
Fact: No black homegoing starts or ends on time. #ArethaHomegoing https://t.co/JP7SL6hzgC— Kat Stafford (@Kat Stafford) 1535731262.0
I seriously feel like I have been at a church on the southside. We started at 10 am it's now 1:25 pm, I am starving… https://t.co/IR0x0IlgYl— Erika (@Erika) 1535740253.0
Not only will it not start on time, but it definitely won’t end on time! @aliciapattillo and I explained today to o… https://t.co/MhrOpfpsDO— Noëlle D. Lilley is wearing a mask (@Noëlle D. Lilley is wearing a mask) 1535741187.0
.@BET Ya'll know we extending the recording option 3 hours past the scheduled time? Right? After all, this is a b… https://t.co/kUieQJGtYG— Janell8ItAll (@Janell8ItAll) 1535739956.0
This #ArethaHomegoing is going to end on Monday. I aint eem mad tho.— Trenise Ferreira (@Trenise Ferreira) 1535736502.0
Rest in Peace Aretha Franklin, take all the time you need to say goodbye.