It was a cold day in Newark New Jersey today as Whitney Houston’s family and friends attended a viewing for the pop queen in her native city and braced themselves for the most unexpected funeral in New Jersey history Saturday.
Among the visitors to the small, private viewing at the Whigham Funeral Home was extremely distraught swollen-eyed and heavy-hearted mom, Cissy, teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, cousin Dionne Warwick and Clive Davis, the record producer who discovered the golden-voiced singer affectionately known to her Newark church congregation as "Nippy."
It was a simple procession. Two yellow police motorcycles were followed by a black-and-white police car, three gold stretch limos, two black Lincoln Navigator luxury SUVs, a black Nissan, police car and two more cycles.
The limos had a "W" emblazoned on them, for "Whigham." But it just as easily could have been for "Whitney."
The wake was a chance for family and friends to have a quiet moment with the 48-year-old international singing sensation they knew on a much more human level, before the anticipated frenzy of a funeral at noon Saturday that will feature songs and speeches by music legends and Hollywood stars. Only Houston’s family and invited guests will attend the service.
A six square-block area will be cordoned off Saturday around the New Hope Baptist Church on Sussex Avenue, the house of worship where young Nippy, then a junior choir member, first wowed audiences.
Rock star Rod Stewart was expected to join a Hollywood walk of fame attendee list today that also includes Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Kevin Costner and Oprah Winfrey. Two high-powered New Jersey politicians, Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who ordered flags lowered to half-staff in the state and city, also have confirmed they will attend.
Police have restricted the airspace over the area.
Watch Whitney Perform I love the Lord:
Among the visitors to the small, private viewing at the Whigham Funeral Home was extremely distraught swollen-eyed and heavy-hearted mom, Cissy, teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, cousin Dionne Warwick and Clive Davis, the record producer who discovered the golden-voiced singer affectionately known to her Newark church congregation as "Nippy."
It was a simple procession. Two yellow police motorcycles were followed by a black-and-white police car, three gold stretch limos, two black Lincoln Navigator luxury SUVs, a black Nissan, police car and two more cycles.
The limos had a "W" emblazoned on them, for "Whigham." But it just as easily could have been for "Whitney."
The wake was a chance for family and friends to have a quiet moment with the 48-year-old international singing sensation they knew on a much more human level, before the anticipated frenzy of a funeral at noon Saturday that will feature songs and speeches by music legends and Hollywood stars. Only Houston’s family and invited guests will attend the service.
A six square-block area will be cordoned off Saturday around the New Hope Baptist Church on Sussex Avenue, the house of worship where young Nippy, then a junior choir member, first wowed audiences.
Rock star Rod Stewart was expected to join a Hollywood walk of fame attendee list today that also includes Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Kevin Costner and Oprah Winfrey. Two high-powered New Jersey politicians, Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who ordered flags lowered to half-staff in the state and city, also have confirmed they will attend.
Police have restricted the airspace over the area.
Watch Whitney Perform I love the Lord:
Location:Newark New Jersey
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