Family Members of Jennifer Hudson Laid to Rest
The family members of Jennifer Hudson have been laid to rest. The service was attended by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Clive Davis, Patti Labelle, Ciara, Queen Latifah, Usher, Mayor Daley and Rev. Willie Barrow. Fantasia provided an emotional moment when she sang "Your Grace and Mercy" and left the stage to sing directly to Jennifer.
The day began with the estimated 2,500 mourners filing past the open caskets of her mother, Darnell Donerson; her brother, Jason; and her nephew, Julian King. Shortly before the funeral service commenced at Apostolic Church of God on the South Side, Hudson rose from her second-row pew and spent a few moments with each family member. She kissed her mother goodbye, attendees said.
Hudson went first to Julian, 7, who was dressed in white to match his casket. She then moved to her mother, the matriarch who encouraged her to try out for "American Idol" and wouldn’t leave her Englewood home despite her younger daughter’s fame. The actress lingered at her mother’s light pink casket and gently touched Donerson before leaning down to kiss her goodbye.
Hudson paused at her brother’s blue casket before returning to her seat, where she joined her fiance, reality-TV star David "Punk" Otunga, and her sister, Julia. Hudson’s composure amid the heartbreaking goodbye became the day’s defining moment for many mourners. Source
Jennifer Hudson Family Members Remembered at Memorial Service
Family and friends of the Hudson & King families shared memories of their loved ones at a memorial service at the church that Jennifer Hudson grew up in. Julian’s classmates remembered him as a smart and enthusiastic child who liked to tell knock-knock jokes. Darnell Donerson, affectionately known as Doll, was excited about the upcoming elections and had already cast her vote according to a cousin.
The invitation-only private service will be held today in Chicago. This is an extremely difficult time for the family and our prayers are with them now and in the days after.
Public Memorial for Hudson Family Members on Sunday
There will be a public memorial service for Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew on Sunday, November 2nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. Jennifer and Julia are not expected to attend.
A Hudson family representative released the following statement: "The Hudson family welcomes anyone who wishes to attend and pay their respects to these three beloved members of the Chicago community."
Our prayers go out to the family.
Gospel Music News-Stars of Harmony, Aretha Franklin
1. Aretha Franklin was on the View to promote her new Christmas CD, “This Christmas”. Watch the video on Gospelrama.
The CD is sold exclusively at Borders bookstore. Visit the bookstore to watch a behind the scenes look at the recording.You can get your CD signed Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at Borders, 10 Columbus Circle-Time Warner Center in New York.
2. The Christian Science Monitor is planning to go from a daily print format to an online publication in April 2009. This major move will make it the first newspaper with a national audience to shift to an online publication that is updated continuously every day. Source
3. Gospel music group Stars of Harmony retire after 60 years. Their final performance will be at Church of God By Faith in Miami Gardens.~Gospel Legends
4. The ever changing history of Zimbabwean Gospel Music.~Zimbablog
5. Our prayers are with Jennifer Hudson and her family as they deal with their tragedy. Guideposts has a great article up of Jennifer that was published before the deaths. In the article she talks about her love for singing and the influence of her grandmother. If you want to post a prayer for the Hudson family you can do so on ourprayer.org .
Learn to Play All your Favorite Christmas Songs by this Holiday Season!
