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Inside Details of Teena Marie Memorial from Attendee [VIDEO]

We received the latest on Teena Marie Memorial Service on Monday. We want to thank Hollywoodliveandwork.com for providing many details about the memorial for her fans to appreciate.

This is from an attendee’s account of the service below.

Near the start of the service, an emotional Wilson shared a special moment when Marie became her unofficial “auntie”. After the story she delivered a beautiful performance of “Ave Maria.”

Later, a medley of Marie’s hits were performed by a group, as baby pictures and photos with friends and family, including Rick James, were displayed on a large screen. The performance was a musical reminder to celebrate Teena Marie’s life and talents, not just mourn the loss of it. When songs “Square Biz” and “I Need Your Lovin” were sung many attendees bobbed their heads to the beat, while soulful ballads “Dear Lover” and “Portuguese Love” moved some to sway to the music.

During remarks close friend and ex-label mate, Smokey Robinson, shared how he informed Motown founder, Berry Gordy, of Teena Marie’s passing. But it was Gordy that led Smokey to call her house and hear Marie’s tribute to him on her voice mail. In return, Smokey wrote and performed an original ballad in her honor. “Go on, glow on…shine. You’ll always be love girl; you’ll always rock my world,” he sang.

Gordy followed Smokey with comments about how much he loved Teena Marie’s attitude. “She was bad,” he said, then quoted the rap from “Square Biz”. The audience agreed with applause. “I’ll miss her forever and forever,” he said in close.

Following sincere comments from Stevie Wonder on the blessing of Marie’s talent and existence, her brave daughter Alia Rose, closed out the remarks. With tears she expressed her closeness and love for her mother. Having celebrated her 19th birthday the day before her mother’s death, Rose said “my mom was having problems with me growing up…she died so she won’t have to…When she died, I grew up.”

A releasing of doves marked the end of the memorial service.

CHECK OUT photos of more attendees who arrived at the memorial HERE