Natalie Cole Remembered at Los Angeles Funeral By Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie & More
Natalie Cole was laid to rest on Monday (Jan. 11) with a well-deserving star-studded list of attendees to celebrate her life and career.
Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, the O'Jays' Eddie Levert, Mary Wilson, Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Johnny Mathis, Freda and Scherrie Payne, producer David Foster and Chaka Khan were just some of the high profile names spotted at the late soul singer's funeral service at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles.
According to Billboard, Stevie Wonder delivered the Lord's Prayer at the funeral, which was open to the public. Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson also gave testimonies about their time with Grammy Award-winning songbird. Khan, who was scheduled to perform, ultimately didn't do so since she was feeling under the weather.
Angela Bassett also spoke about her time with the late singer, in an e-mail sent to Billboard. “To have spent time in [Natalie’s] presence was special,” it read. “It made you feel special as well because she was one of those rare individuals who greeted your soul."
The Unforgettable singer died on New Year's Eve of a pulmonary arterial hypertension at the age of 65. She was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., next to her iconic father, Nat King Cole.
And she most certainly won't be forgotten. Rest in Peace, Natalie Cole.