Whitney Houston was beautifully sent home

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Family and friends gathered at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. to say their final goodbyes to a cultural icon.

Whitney Houston’s home going service brought a host of celebrities who paid tribute to the R&B diva.

Funeral for Whitney Houston

The service was held at the very place Houston got her start as a singer. Houston was remembered during a four-hour service filled with heartfelt songs and memories.

The funeral comes a week after Houston was found dead in her Beverly Hilton hotel room bathtub. The official cause of death is still unknown. However, what we do know, is that a legend left us too soon.

Among her mother, Cissy Houston, daughter Bobbi Kristina, and cousin Dionne Warwick, heavyweights in the entertainment industry paid their respects as well. Oprah Winfrey, Ray J, Brandy, and others were in attendance.

There were beautiful performances by Bebe & Cee Cee Winans, R. Kelly, Kim Burrell, Alicia Keys, Donnie McClurkin, & Stevie Wonder, The New Hope Baptist Church Choir, & The New Jersey Mass Choir.

“There are two constants that I know about Whitney Houston,” Perry said during his remarks. “There was a grace that carried her from heaven down through Miss Cissy Houston, a grace that brought her up through singing. The other thing I know for sure: Whitney Houston loved the Lord.”

The ceremony was also blessed by beautiful words from Tyler Perry, Kevin Coster, T.D. Jakes, Ray Watson (Houston’s bodyguard), Ricky Minor (music director/bassist), cousin Dionne Warrick, sister-in-law Pat Houston, and mentor Clive Davis.

Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in attendance. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson were there as well to offer support.

Houston was eulogized by friend, Marvin Winans, who bought his family up to sing one of Whitney’s favorite song’s “Tomorrow”, before delivering his sermon.

At the end of the service, Whitney’s casket was taken out and she was the last voice you heard as they played “I Will Always Love You”.

While fans were not allowed inside the invitation only ceremony, thousands were able to view the home going service through television and live stream on the internet.

Whitney Houston was beautifully sent home. Although I did not know her personally, I feel this is the way she would have wanted it. No matter her struggles, everyone knew Whitney loved the Lord. Today, she was sent home gracefully.

The service reminded us that, she might of left us too soon, but hold on to the love she gave the world and the love the world had for her.

Like T.D. Jakes said best, “Moments like this it feels like death is wrong. But the Bible says that love is stronger than death,”

RIP Whitney