Family, Friends Bid Farewell To Whitney Houston At Her Funeral

By KSEE News

Family, Friends Bid Farewell To Whitney Houston At Her Funeral

February 18, 2012 Updated Feb 18, 2012 at 3:34 PM PDT

Many of the biggest names in entertainment gathered Saturday to say goodbye to singer Whitney Houston in the church in Newark, N.J., where the late singer, who died on Feb. 11, started her singing career in the choir.

Pastor Joe A. Carter of the New Hope Baptist Church opened Saturday's service by telling the congregation that "we gonna have church today.

"We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston," Carter said. "Whitney, you are the only woman that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today is your day."

As the nearly four-hour long service came to an end, the Rev. Marvin Winans said in his eulogy: "Father, we thank you for this life of Whitney Elizabeth 'Nippy' Houston. We thank you that she was a dear friend, and we echo all the sentiments of those who have come to show their love. ... Let us leave here recognizing that Whitney left too soon. Let us leave her impacted by her life."

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