Clinton describes Aretha Franklin as the voice of a century

Former US President Bill Clinton has paid a moving tribute to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, describing her as the voice of a generation and a century. Franklin’s funeral is taking place at the Greater Grace Temple in the city of Detroit in Michigan.

It is attended by musicians and dignitaries including Pastor TD Jakes, Judge Greg Mathis, former US President Bill Clinton, Tyler Perry and Shirley Caesar.

Clinton says Aretha lived a life of courage. “She lived with courage. Not without fear but overcoming her fears. Not without failure but overcoming her failures. She lived with power, not without weakness but overcoming her weaknesses.  At the secret of her greatness was she took this massive talent and this perfect culture that raised her and decide to be the composer of her own life song.”

Earlier the family  paid tribute to the singer at the funeral.  The singer’s niece Cristal Franklin says her aunt encouraged them to put education first. “To the world she was known as the queen of soul but to me she was just my aunt, the one who could bring grown men and women to tears from the sound of her voice. My daughter Brooklyn who is now graduating from Harvard this year, it’s all possible because of my aunt. One of the most important things to our family is education. I will continue in my family name of doing the foundations so that children would never forget who my aunt was.”

The singer’s son Edward Franklin also paid a music tribute to his mother. His grandchildren Victorie and Jordan Franklin also paid their last respects to the singer.

“Every time I learn something new about my grandma, I see that I have so much of her in me and that makes me smile.  I’m so proud to have had someone like her in my life to pave the way for me.  I love you grandma and I will make you proud.  Thank you for loving me and thank you for always putting the family first and showing us the right way to handle success.  I know you’ve been watching me from the windows of heaven and I promise to carry our family legacy with pride and joy. Long live the queen,” said Victorie Franklin.

The Mayor of the US city of Detroit, Mike Duggan, has praised the late music legend Aretha Franklin, saying she never lost her connection to the city. The singer died aged 76 on 16 August after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Speaking at the funeral, activist and Reverend Al Sharpton says Franklin was a phenomenal woman.

“We watched Aretha bare her cross down here.  She had to sing with a broken heart. She had to work when she didn’t get paid.  She was a black woman in a white man’s world now is time to crown the queen. I’ll see you at the exchange counter where you can now hand in your cross; there is no cancer over there Aretha.  Hand in your cross and pick up your crown.” Click below for more on the story: 

LIVESTREAM: The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is being laid to rest on Friday. Video: Reuters