Tyler Perry, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kim Burrell, Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick, Clive Davis, R. Kelly, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, and Brandy are just a few of many who gathered Saturday, February 18, to send Whitney Houston home.

In a service that took place in New Hope Baptist Church, Whitney’s childhood church in Newark, New Jersey, thousands came together to remember and mourn the legacy and life of the singing legend, daughter, mother, sister, and friend.

Through tears, stories, and song, Whitney was honored for her contributions not only to the world, but the people closest to her. More than anything, her joyful and kind spirit, and love of the Lord, were continuously spoken of.

Tyler Perry further explained Whitney’s faith:

“What I know about her, is that she loved the Lord. And if there was a grace that carried her all the way through, it was the same grace that carried her all the way home.”

Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, shared her feelings for her daughter in a letter printed in the memorial service program, saying:

“I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long. And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.”

Bishop T.D. Jakes delivered a semi-sermon when he began to preach:

“In moments like this, it feels like death has won. But the Bible says that love is stronger than death. Your hearts are heavy, tears flow down. Your spirits are wounded, I feel that too.

“I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Whitney as long as many of you. I met her on the set of the remake of Sparkle, but I understand what it is to be in pain. You look around and everybody you love and everybody you can count on and everybody you can trust seems to be slipping through your fingers. And it seems like death has won…

“But I rose to tell you that 2,000 years ago, Love rolled into the ring and said, ‘Wait a minute, Death. You’ve been bullying people for a long time. But I want to set the record straight. Love is greater than death.’

“…Don’t you dare think that death has won. You will learn what all of us know who have lost loved people that we love. You’ll be driving down the street one day and you’ll hear Whitney’s voice talking in your head. Something she said or something she did will pop up in your spirit and you’ll giggle inside of yourself as if she was sitting in the car with you.

“And you will find that people that you really love, they may leave you outwardly, but they will never leave you inwardly.”

Longtime friend Kim Burrell sang a very special version of Sam Cooke‘s “A Change Is Gonna Come” for the woman she calls her “sister.”

Whitney will be buried today, February 19, next to her father John Russell Houston Jr., in Westfield, New Jersey.

Condolences, prayers, and thoughts go out to her daughter Bobbi Kristina, mother Cissy, the Houston family, and all of those close to Whitney. May she rest in peace.

Photos: CNN