Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16 at the age of 76. A memorial service honoring the late Aretha Franklin was held in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday. The "Queen of Soul" died on Aug. 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76. Outside the New Bethel Baptist Church, where the service was held, some signed boards at a memorial paying tribute to the singer. Those inside the church listened to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, as he spoke about Franklin's life and her dedication to music. The New Bethel Baptist Church was where Franklin's late father, Rev. C.L. Franklin was a minister and where Franklin began to let the world hear her sing. A mural of Franklin was painted on a wall down the street from the church. Aretha Franklin's funeral will be held Aug 31.<doc-sep>DETROIT — Mourners began pouring into Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Tuesday to pay their final respects to Aretha Franklin. They approached her gold-plated casket to the sounds of her gospel recordings. She was in repose, dressed in red from head to high-heeled shoes, legs crossed at the ankles. As they approached, people who came from as far away as Las Vegas and Miami cried, crossed themselves, bowed their heads or blew kisses. Museum board member Kelly Major Green said the goal was to create a dignified and respectful environment akin to a church, the place where Franklin got her start. “What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.” READ MORE: How Aretha Franklin shaped generations of music With her legs crossed at the ankles, Green said Franklin communicates both power and comfort, as she did in life. The shoes, in particular, show “The Queen of Soul is diva to the end,” Green said. Tammy Gibson, 49, of Chicago said she arrived about 5:30 a.m. She came alone but made fast friends with others who sang and reminisced. Growing up, Gibson said she heard Franklin’s music “playing all the time” by her parents, who “told me to go to bed — it’s an adult party.” Outside the museum, she said: “I know people are sad, but it’s just celebrating — people dancing and singing her music.” Franklin has been a constant in her life. “I saw the gold-plated casket — it dawned on me: She’s gone, but her legacy and her music will live on forever.” The setting for the two days of public viewings could not be more fitting, according to Paula Marie Seniors, an associate professor of Africana studies at Virginia Tech. “I think it’s incredibly significant — she is being honored almost like a queen at one of the most important black museums in the United States,” said Seniors, who visited the museum several years ago when she was in Detroit doing research. The Queen of Soul, Seniors said, was “a singer of the universe.” Yet she added that Franklin, who died Aug. 16 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, also was “so unapologetically black — she was so proud of being a black woman.” To be sure, Franklin did not consider herself a catalyst for the women’s movement or on the front lines of the fight for civil rights. But she represented and pushed for both in ways big and small — none, perhaps, more prominently or simultaneously as her mold-breaking take on the Otis Redding song, “Respect.” She later said that with her interpretation — which even Redding acknowledged became the standard — sought to convey a message about the need to respect women, people of color, children and all people. The museum, which had been the largest black museum in the U.S. until the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., in 2016, also hosted similar viewings for civil rights icon Rosa Parks after her 2005 death. In further symbolic symmetry, Franklin sang at Parks’ funeral, which was held at the same Detroit church as Franklin’s, and the singer will be entombed in the same cemetery as Parks. The women came to their activism from different places and used different techniques, but “in the long run, they were both fighting for the same cause, which is freedom,” Seniors said. Seniors said if she could attend the viewings, she would bring her 8-year-old daughter, Shakeila, who has sung along with Franklin’s videos. “I want my daughter to know anything and everything about African-American culture and history,” said Seniors, whose father, Clarence Henry Seniors, was roommates at Morehouse College with Franklin’s brother, Cecil. “I would want my daughter to know of the people like Aretha Franklin — to be able to listen to that voice … and hear that there is something special about it.”<doc-sep>Aretha Franklin’s body will go on public display during a four-day celebration of her life in her hometown of Detroit. Authorities are drawing up plans for a musical tribute featuring major performers as a fitting sendoff for the legendary soul singer, who died aged 76 on Thursday after suffering from pancreatic cancer. Her funeral has been scheduled for 31 August following a two-day public viewing of her open casket, relatives said. Franklin, the preacher’s daughter who became the long-reigning Queen of Soul with such hits as “Respect” and “Chain of Fools”, was born in Memphis, Tennessee but grew up in Detroit after moving there with her family at the age of four. Her body will lie in state for public viewing at the city’s Charles H Wright Museum of African American History on 28 and 29 August. She will be laid to rest at the city’s Woodlawn Cemetery following a service for family, friends and invited guests at the nearby Greater Grace Temple. The temple, which can seat up to 4,000 people, has previously hosted funerals for notable Detroit figures including African-American activist Rosa Parks and jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Musicians and other high-profile figures from around the world are expected to attend her funeral. A family spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press that multiple public events were being planned to mark her death. Local news channel WDIV-4 said organisers were working on a “musical tribute with major recording artists” at an as yet undecided venue. Fans have been gathering at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church to pay their respects since Franklin’s death was announced on Thursday. Flowers, balloons and messages of tribute to the singer have been left outside the church. Aretha Franklin – career in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 Aretha Franklin – career in pictures Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and went on to earn the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ for her services to music since the late 60s Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin performs onstage in 1968 Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1969 Aretha Franklin on the Andy Williams Show NBC/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1967 She signed to Atlantic Records in 1967 Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Franklin achieved huge success with songs including “Spanish Harlem”, "I Say a Little Prayer" and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1974 She first sang as part of a gospel at a Detroit church where her father, C.L, was the pastor before embarking upon a full-time career in 1960 Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 She won 18 Grammys Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1980 Aretha Franklin has sold over 75m records worldwide Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1981 George Benson and Aretha Franklin at the Greek Theatre Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1986 Aretha Franklin Showtime TV Special. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1992 American music executive Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin attend an event together Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1993 Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross perform at the Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton Rex Features Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1994 US actor Kirk Douglas applauds singer Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1997 Aretha Franklin singing during the inaugural gala dedicated to US President Bill Clinton in Landover AFP/Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin had a cameo appearance in cult classic 'The Blues Brothers 2000' Rex Features Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin poses with the Blues Brothers John Goodman, left, J.Evan Bonifant, second left, Joe Morton, second right, and Dan Aykroyd, right, after performing at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with singer Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1999 US President Bill Clinton along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton award singer Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin performs at the conclusion of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54 AFP/Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin onstage performing at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2002 Torchbearer Aretha Franklin carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Detroit Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2003 Carly Simon, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin perform on stage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin and actor Hugh Jackman perform onstage at the 59th Annual Tony Awards Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award, by President George Bush at the White House Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin (L) and Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franlkin and Aaron Neville perform the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston along with singer Melissa Etheridge, who both received honorary degrees for their achievements in music Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2007 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year, which was honoring herself Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2009 Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban perform during the Mandela Day Celebration Concert in New York City.<doc-sep>
Faith Hill paid tribute to the late Aretha Franklin with an emotional performance of gospel hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" at the Queen of Soul's memorial service. Hill was one of many music superstars who assembled at the Greater Grace Temple in Franklin's hometown of Detroit today (Aug. 31). The country star took the stage behind Franklin's shining gold casket to perform in front of hundreds gathered to remember Aretha, who passed away of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16 at the age of 76. Sound issues unfortunately plagued the live stream of the private event, but it was clear that Hill put plenty of heart into the musical memorial to her late friend. Hill has been vocal about her longtime love for Franklin and how her music influence her own career. "I've always listened to Aretha," Hill told the Washington Post in 1996. "When you hear the drums and bass on my records, that's where it comes from." READ MORE: Watch Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Perform an Aretha Franklin Classic In the hours after Franklin's death, the country star shared a message and photo of her with Aretha on Instagram. "GLORY, GLORY, GLORY to the ALMIGHTY!!! The choir of angels now have the greatest voice of all time to lead, praise and join in to sing before Jesus," she wrote. "I wanted to share this photo because it shows just how soulful Aretha was without uttering a word. To say I was humbled to be in her presence would be an understatement." Hill and Franklin also recorded a duet together in 2011 but the track was never released. Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Eric Church are among the country stars who have recently paid tribute to Franklin by covering some of her most beloved songs. Other artists set to attend and perform at the memorial service, which is still ongoing at the time of publishing, include Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Shirley Caesar, Ronald Isley, Jennifer Holliday and the Clark Sisters. Head over to our sister site, Rare, to see more from inside the memorial service.