Natalie Cole's Funeral

Natalie Cole's Obituary

Written by David Mitchell

I've been to numerous funerals over the years, but today felt almost life-altering, attending the homegoing service for Ms. Natalie Cole at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Ca.

Beautiful eulogies from Rev. Wade and her son Robbie along with tributes from David Foster, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, her longtime manager Howard Grossman, and her two sisters Timolin and Casey.

Stevie Wonder brought the house down with a lovely version of the Lord's Prayer, and of course the Kurt Carr singers took things to the next level, leaving everyone virtually in tears.

Other notables in attendance were Johnny Mathis (the man does not age), Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan (who did not sing due to a cold), Eddie Levert, Ledisi, Nat King Cole's brother Freddie (85 and looking great), actresses Angela Bassett and Latonya Jackson, as well as some local politicians, and hundreds of friends and family. What a send-off for Natalie.

My thanx to Kenneth R Reynolds for allowing me to be his guest.