Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson to speak at Aretha Franklin's funeral
Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., pastor of Atlanta's Salem Baptist Church, to deliver eulogy
Former U.S president Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cicely Tyson will be among the speakers at Aretha Franklin's funeral next week.
Franklin's rep, Gwendolyn Quinn, says other speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, music mogul Clive Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Clinton and the Queen of Soul were longtime friends. She sang at both of his inaugurations.
Robinson and Franklin grew up together in Detroit.
This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our Father. I will miss her so much but I know she’s at peace. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QueenOfSoul?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QueenOfSoul</a> <a href="https://t.co/UatS3U3YXe">pic.twitter.com/UatS3U3YXe</a>
—@smokey_robinsonFranklin died last Thursday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. Her funeral will be held in Detroit at Greater Grace Temple next Friday.
The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. will deliver the eulogy. He is pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta.