Cissy Houston was mourned by longtime church politician Dionne Warwick

NEWARK, NJ (AP) — Dionne Warwick, BeBe Winans, Darlene Love and a huge choir helped celebrate the life of Gospel icon Cissy Houston during a music-filled memorial service Thursday in the Duchess of Gospel's hometown of Newark.

The ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church – where Houston was a parishioner and choir director for decades – was decorated with framed photos of Houston and her casket was placed in front of the pulpit. The church also held Daughter Whitney Houston Funeral more than a decade ago.

“She gave so much. She gave me the right to be myself,” said Warwick, 83, the 91-year-old Houston’s niece, who often supported Warwick.

“Cissy, I will miss you,” she added, asking her aunt to greet her deceased relatives. “They are all waiting for you. You gave us your heart and soul.”

Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang along Aretha Franklin And Elvis Presley, died on October 7th. In her honor, her eldest son Gary sang “Freedom” and Love sang “It Is Well with My Soul.” Her goddaughters said they would continue their tradition of proudly wearing purple eyeshadow.

What emerged from the speakers was a portrait of a woman with great faith and deep love, but also a woman who had to endure fools hard. “No one else could cut you in the name of Jesus,” Winans joked as mourners roared. “You didn’t have to say any words. She could cut you with her eyes.”

He also told a story of her compassion: When Whitney Houston died, Winans received a call from Cissy. “I’m just calling to check on you,” she told him. “In that moment, her strength became my strength. It was just who she was.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Read a proclamation created in her honor and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called Houston a “musical legend” who “embodied the soul of New Jersey.”

“While each of us is born with a voice, few of us are endowed with a voice powerful enough to reach the hearts of millions upon millions of listeners around the world, a voice powerful enough to “carrying the pain of heartbreak or the euphoria of falling in love,” Murphy said.

From an early age, Houston performed as a church musician and was part of a family gospel group before breaking into popular music in the 1960s as a member of the prominent backing group The Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and his niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group sang backup for various soul singers, including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls and The Drifters. They also sang as backing singers for Warwick.

Houston's many performances included Franklin's “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Van Morrison's “Brown Eyed Girl” and Dusty Springfield's “Son of a Preacher Man.” The Sweet Inspirations also sang with Presley on stage.

The Sweet Inspirations had their own top 20 single with the soul-rock “Sweet Inspiration”, recorded in the Memphis studio where Franklin and Springfield, among others, recorded hits. They released four albums in the late 1960s alone.

Houston became a sought-after session singer and recorded more than 600 songs in various genres throughout her career. Her vocals can be heard on tracks alongside a variety of artists including Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack and her own daughter.

“What she represents is so powerful that it resonates to this day,” said Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. “She worked with Irish, African American, Italian, Latino and Jewish brothers and sisters because she believed in a patchwork and quiltwork of diversity. Unlike others who seek to negate the beauty and value of our coming together.”

Other listeners included singers Valerie Simpson and Monifah Carter and producer Debra Martin Chase.

New Hope pastor Joe A. Carter, who kissed Houston's casket, laughed, even though he had led the church for more than 30 years: “She was my pastor.” Six pallbearers then carried Houston's casket as the chorus chanted “He Shall Lead His Flock” sang.