The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin has passed away after battling with cancer.
The 18-time Grammy winning artiste passed away at home in Detroit today. The news about her failing health was reported this week as her family and close friends were around her during the time. Within the short period of her sickness, the late Aretha received immense support from her colleagues in the industry, notable among them were the Carters, who dedicated their Detroit OTRII concert in honor of the late queen. Beyoncé announced after their opening performance, “This show tonight is dedicated to Aretha Franklin. We love you. We thank you for changing all our lives with your beautiful music,” said Beyoncé.
On Wednesday evening, the New Bethel Baptist church, which served as her place of worship and founded by her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, organized a vigil in aid of her sickness. Speaking at the vigil, Pastor Robert Smith shared a word of prayer for the singer, ‘We’re asking you to touch the Queen of Soul. We’re lifting our sister up to you,” the congregation prayed.
In one of her last interviews with Detroit last year, the Soul singer disclosed ‘I feel very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from and where it is now.”
The star is survived by her four sons, grandchildren and extended family. Further, she has impacted generations of performers that follow in her footsteps, including Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson.
May her gentle soul rest in peace!
