With the third day of public viewing for Aretha Franklin in Detroit has come a third spectacular outfit change fit for the Queen of Soul.
Mourners at New Bethel Baptist Church saw the music icon dressed in a sparkling rose gold floor-length gown accentuated with pink beaded lace and paired with gold-sequined Christian Louboutin heels.
Her accessories consisted of a custom-made pink south sea pearl necklace and earrings.
Franklin’s polished bronze casket sat at the front of the sanctuary, which was surrounded with photos of her and lavender and pink roses.
In style: Aretha Franklin was transported to New Bethel Baptist Church in a vintage LaSalle, dressed in a sparkling rose gold floor-length gown accentuated with pink beaded lace and paired with gold-sequined Christian Louboutin heels
All that glitters: Pallbearers carry the polished-bronze casket of legendary singer Aretha Franklin into New Bethel Baptist Church Thursday in Detroit
Attendants stand by to open the doors as the casket carrying Franklin arrives at the New Bethel Baptist Church
Franklin reposed in her rose gold gown in the polished bronze casket, pictured being carried into the church
Man-made garden: A man works on a growing makeshift memorial for Franklin outside the New Bethel Baptist Church
Say the name: The walls of the church where Franklin first learned to sing gospel were decorated with balloons spelling ot her name and posters
All hail the ‘Queen’: Mourners left balloons shaped like stars beneath a sign on the walls of the church spelling out ‘Queen’ on Day 3 of Franklin’s public viewing
home: Franklin’s father, Reverend CL Franklin, was the longtime pastor at the New Bethel Baptist Church
Thursday’s viewing is taking place at a church where Franklin’s father, Reverend CL Franklin, was the longtime pastor and she learned the gospel fundamentals that would make her a soul institution.
Hundreds of mourners lined Linwood Street for the opportunity to say a final farewell to the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. singer, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer at age 76 on August 16. The line to view Franklin, which stretched more than half a mile, was moving briskly shortly after noon.
The church viewing comes after two days of viewings at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Franklin was dressed in striking ruby-red for the first day, and wore a baby blue dress on the second day.
Linda Swanson, executive vice president of Swanson Funeral Home, revealed to the Detroit Free Press that there are additional sartorial surprises in store for Franklin’s many fans.
Rev. Jesse Jackson is interviewed by media during the viewing of Franklin at New Bethel Baptist Church on August 30
Sheila Williams, center, raises her arm and sings with others standing outside New Bethel Baptist Church as a viewing for Aretha Franklin is held inside
Women in a large crowd of mourners sing outside New Bethel Baptist Church in honor of Franklin
A mourner holds a copy of The Final Call newspaper featuring Aretha Franklin on the cover outside the church
Queuing up: The line to view Franklin’s body at the church stretched more than half a mile on Thursday
‘Just natural changes in wardrobe that a queen would make,’ she said, referring to the legendary vocalist’s planned funeral outfits.
Franklin’s invitation-only homegoing service will be held Friday at the Greater Grace Temple, one of the largest and most famous churches in the city.
More than two dozen ministers, performers both secular and gospel, along with black entertainers, athletes and civil rights activists make up a who’s who list of black America that will pay tribute to Franklin in a marathon service scheduled to last at least five hours.
Crowds chanted Franklin’s nickname ‘Ree Ree!’ and ‘Let the Queen through!’ as Franklin’s body arrived this morning at her home church in a 1940s Cadillac LaSalle hearse that was used to transport her father when he died in July 1984. It was also used to transport civil rights icon Rosa Parks’ body when she died in 2005.
Fans decorated the walls of the church with silver and gold balloons spelling ‘Aretha,’ ‘Queen’ and ‘Love U’; silver, gold and hot-pink balloons shaped like stars; handmade posters; stuffed animals and colorful floral arrangements.