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Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson to speak at Franklin funeral

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It has been announced by the family of the late Aretha Franklin that former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cicely Tyson will be among the speakers at Aretha Franklin’s funeral today in Detroit, Mich.

Franklin’s rep, Gwendolyn Quinn, said other speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, music mogul Clive Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Bishop T.D. Jakes. Michael Eric Dyson, former TV judge Greg Mathis, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and U.S. Rep Brenda Lawrence are also additional speakers.

Clinton and the Queen of Soul were longtime friends; she sang at both of his inaugurations. Robinson and Franklin grew up together in Detroit.

Franklin died Aug. 16 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. Her funeral will be held in Detroit at Greater Grace Temple. The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., will deliver the eulogy.

Among the performers scheduled at the service are Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Faith Hill and Chaka Khan.

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