Aretha: what would I have done without you? You were my serotonin as an adolescent--my joy and my optimism. You Better 'Think' how much we are all going to miss you! Thanks for the past 51 years of magic!
112
If the word ROYALTY ever meant being touched and moved by the hand of God, or in service to HER, then Aretha Franklin is our American Royalty.
“Aretha is a gift from God. When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her. She is the reason why women want to sing.” Mary J. Blige
67
A life well lived. We honor her contribution to humanity. May we all be so fortunate to positively impact humanity.
65
Had to choose which funeral to listen to live: easy choice, Aretha rules the heart. While she was aware of her presence, I think she'd be blown away by the tributes and the abundance of love from all types of people. She could not have imagined how many people treated her singing as personal solace and encouragement,
I hope the angels up there aren't jealous types.
104
True musical icon who influenced fellow performers while she enthralled and embraced her fans.
Very fitting that President Clinton spoke at her funeral - he is a southerner who grew up poor listening to the soul music that Aretha delivered to the world and for which the world loved her.
She lived her life stylishly and she left this life stylishly with a splendid sendoff.
71
Aretha, you were larger than life, you embodied the Spirit of Goodness, the Soul of Joy, and the Breath of our collective Hope for a better world.
May you rest in a well deserved Peace.
69
I love it! In life and in death, no one could miss Aretha Franklin. We will miss her sparkling presence on earth, but her musical legacy and life story will always be with us. Heaven is the richer now that you're singing with that choir angels, Ms. Franklin. #RESPECT
47
Bless you, Aretha. Your Voice, the Person you were, lifted us all up. Your Singing showed us the power inside of ourselves - the power of Community - the power of Love, and the power of the common language of Music. If ANYTHING brings "Peace on Earth", it will be Music, and you rocked us, both gently and strong.
If there is a Heaven (beyond the Heaven we can make on Earth), I know that you are leading the Angel Choir.
You were beyond the Best. We will never forget you.
43
Aretha Franklin is one of America's most admired person's in the world. She gave her heart and soul to the world. There will be no other. May the Lord Bless her and keep her.
41
No one could touch Aretha. And no one will ever come close. Period.
50
I am 64 years old and have lost many Family And Friends but I have never seen such a beautiful turnout as for Aretha Franklin. She was a beautiful and caring woman and will be missed by millions of people around the world. I grew up on her music and Motown. I love and Respect this woman forever. God Bless You Aretha Franklin.
74
What a magnificent funeral tribute, still ongoing into this afternoon. One striking spontaneous feature: a line-up of hundreds (yes, hundreds !) of pink Cadillacs on Seven Mile in Detroit. Talk about much-deserved respect. Aretha, your spirit lives on.
94
A picture of Ms Franklin lying in state showed her in her coffin with her right ankle crossing her left, as if to say, "Relax, I'm fine."
53
I was at Greater Grace for the first time last week to cover the funeral of a local sheriff's deputy. Very impressed with the send-off and the eulogy by Bishop Ellis.
19
President Obama should have attended Aretha Franklin's funeral rather than John McCain's. She was a fighter for justice, he was a politician who never saw a war he didn't like, or gave a thought to the victims -- remember "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran," followed by a chuckle -- that's not the mindset of a 'great man.'
42
The change in dress each day is a bit disturbing to me.
31
@KPW
I feel it's apropriate .Aretha will always be known
for her sense of style. a true Diva in every way .
Keep singing you wonderful woman .
45
@KPW
You don't have to understand it, just accept it.
54
Aretha
A voice like no other - exuding a range of emotions - impossible to listen to her music without feeling, without moving - there is just no sitting still. So grateful for her music, which will live on.
The tribute to Aretha, televised from Detroit, was fit for a Queen. I must admit, it was painful to see Louis Farrakhan, honored with a front row seat.
44
Rhythm, grace, debonair and soul are not qualities that are distributed equally among people.
Other qualities yes, but not those.
31
She was the Greatest... We will all be listening for decades to come.
R I P, Aretha. Here's hoping you and Sam Cooke meet up.
44
I’ll “say a little prayer for you,” Aretha.
105
There is nothing so uplifting and moving as a gospel funeral.
65
Greater Grace is definitely in Detroit, not the suburban outskirts.
31
A wonderful woman with a powerful voice! Thank you Ms. Franklin for empowering women and people everywhere for showing your courage and talent and standing up for the underdog when so many look away. Your voice will always be with us. Huge Respect. RIP.
32
@April I'm wondering who will be the next Aretha Franklin? I'm not seeing or hearing them. The powerful voice, the song phrasing, the ability to sing ballads or dance tunes with so much feeling. I'm not sure she can be replaced by anyone. Also, her songwriting and other's songwriting helped greatly. I'm not seeing great songwriting (or production) today either.
16
Goodbye, Ms. Franklin. Thank you for the many decades of song. We will miss you. Sing on forever in the great beyond.
42
No will? Did she think she would live forever? Now they need a lawyer AND an accountant to untangle mess. Let's hope the kids can cooperate until the last $ is dispersed.
9
@Elizabeth No they don't. Don't assume there's a "mess". Yes, the family is cooperating and has elected a niece to be estate manager.
36
My mom had a will-and an attorney who was a real jerk to me, her sole heir and only child. His haughty, judgemental attitude traumatized me for years. 'Nuff said. All in all, I'd just as soon have dealt with the courts.
Yes, estate planning is generally prudent, but that's not a guarantee of smooth sailing, either. I imagine Ms. Franklin's survivors will work it out.
13