In a three hour private funeral service, Jennifer Hudson bid her mother, brother and nephew farewell, while Fantasia Barrino provided one emotional moment with her rendition of gospel classic.
- Nov 4, 2008
AceShowbiz - On Monday, November 3, Jennifer Hudson finally said goodbye to her slain mother, brother and nephew as a private funeral service took place at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. Of the heartfelt service, Chicago Tribune reported that the 27-year-old singer/actress spent a few moments at each of the caskets, before gently touching her mother's body and leaning forward to kiss her.
Nearing the end of the three-hour service, Hudson's fellow season three "American Idol" alum, Fantasia Barrino, took the stage and sang a rendition of gospel classic, "Your Grace and Mercy". During the performance, she walked into the aisle to take Hudson's hand and sang directly to her. Apart from Barrino, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Rev. Jesse Jackson were also among those who spoke at the service. After the service, a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery at Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side of Chicago.
The private service was held exactly a day after the public memorial service on Sunday, November 2. Attended by nearly 100 friends and relatives, the public service was done at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. During the Sunday ceremony, relatives took turns in reminiscing about the three victims.
Hudson's mother and brother, Darnell Donerson and Jason, were found dead of gun wound in their family home on Friday, October 24. Three days after, on Monday, October 27, the body of Hudson's nephew, 7-year-old Julian, was discovered in an SUV on Chicago's West Side. No one has been held responsible for the tragedy, but William Balfour, the stepfather of Julian, remains in police custody as the police sees him as a "person of interest".
