Queen of Soul Aretha is GOING IN STYLE
Fire-red Louboutins Gold-plated coffin 3 costume changes
DETROIT — It was a tribute fit for the Queen of Soul.
Aretha Franklin’s body made a regal entrance at a Detroit museum on Tuesday — in a glossy, 24-karat-gold-plated casket that emerged from a white 1940 LaSalle hearse amid a sea of adoring fans.
The crowd of thousands broke out in cheers as the coffin was taken out of the vehicle, which also once carried the casket of Franklin’s father and civil-rights activist Rosa Parks.
A half-dozen white-gloved pallbearers then slowly wheeled her coffin into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, where it will remain until Wednesday evening.
In her open Promethean coffin, the “Respect” singer lay decked out head-to-toe in red — wearing a long sequined dress and matching sky-high Louboutins, lipstick and nail polish.
In true Aretha fashion, the “Natural Woman” diva’s outfits will be changed twice before her funeral, said O’Neil Swanson II, the owner of Swanson Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements.
“On Thursday, she’ll be in a gold dress’’ for church, “and Friday, she’s wearing a gown” for her funeral, Swanson said.
Mourners quietly streamed past Franklin’s body as her music quietly played in the background, some moved to tears.
The coffin — with a white interior inscribed with “The Queen of Soul” in small gold letters — was surrounded by a spray of soft-pink and lavender-colored roses.
Museum officials made mourners put away their cellphones before viewing Franklin and quickly ushered them along.
Multiple life-sized posters of the star flanked the entrance and exit of the building.
Outside the museum, which also hosted Parks’ funeral in 2005, it was no somber affair. Franklin diehards snaked around the block and danced and sang to her greatest hits, which were blasting from speakers set up by a local radio station. Some fans broke out into renditions of “Respect” and “Amazing Grace” — two Franklin staples — while waiting.
“I came up here for this special celebration because her music literally saved my life in July 1997,” said Sir Diego Brazil, 46, who flew in from Miami, Fla..
He said he played Franklin’s soothing soulful music after nearly jumping off a bridge in Pittsburgh.
“When I got home, I was literally on my knees — and what sus-
tained me was playing ‘Bridge over Troubled Water,’ ” he said.
Mary Jones, one of many who wore an “I ♥ Aretha” T-shirt, made the four-hour drive from Columbus, Ohio, with three pals.
“She is just iconic — her lifestyle, the way she loved and treated individuals, and she always remained down to earth,” Jones said.
Some fans camped out overnight to pay their final respects to the icon, who died of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor on Aug. 16 at the age of 76.
Another viewing will be held Thursday at New Bethel Baptist Church.
Franklin’s family-only funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Greater Grace Temple.
She will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
For many mourners, the loss felt personal.
“There will never be another Aretha,” said Melissa Howard, 50, from Austin, Texas, who waited overnight to attend Franklin’s wake Tuesday.
“She was a community leader who is a staple in our lives.”
Cynthia Dailey, 60, who flew in Monday night from Jacksonville, Fla., added, “There’s an empty hole for us. It’s like losing a family member. She meant everything to us.”
Detroit resident Mary Eatmon said Franklin’s timeless music spanned all cultures.
“Aretha has done so much for us in her life,” the 87-year-old said. “All we can do is praise her now.”