Music mogul Clive Davis is also spotted arriving at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, but reportedly leaves before the private viewing service is to begin.
- February 18, 2012
AceShowbiz -
Whitney Houston's family and close friends have gathered together to pay their final respects ahead of her Saturday, February 18 funeral. On Friday, a private viewing of the "I Will Always Love You" singer's body was held at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, and singer/cousin Dionne Warwick was seen among the mourners in attendance.
Wearing a white shirt and a pair of dark trousers, Warwick joined Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina and other family members for the wake. The 71-year-old reportedly arrived just as record mogul Clive Davis left the venue. According to E! Online, Davis had arrived an hour earlier, but didn't stay for the service.
The Friday service marked the first time Houston's daughter made a public appearance since she was rushed to hospital following her mother's death. She wore a pair of dark jeans, a white vest and a black jacket, and hid her eyes between a pair of sunglasses. She was also seen holding hands with her grandmother Cissy as they walked into the funeral home.
Three gold limousines and two black SUVs, carrying family members, were escorted by the police on their way to the funeral home. The service, which began at around 5 P.M. EST, reportedly ran about two hours.
Houston's funeral service will take place Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Among those invited include ex-husband Bobby Brown, on-and-off boyfriend Ray J and his sister Brandy, singers Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan, and "The Bodyguard" co-star Kevin Costner. ABC News reported she will be laid to rest the next day at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
