LeBron James, Isiah Thomas to attend Aretha Franklin's funeral

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LeBron James will be one of the celebrities at Aretha Franklin’s funeral this Friday. Former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas will also be at the service.
LeBron James will be one of the celebrities at Aretha Franklin’s funeral this Friday. Former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas will also be at the service.

The King will pay tribute to the Queen of Soul on Friday.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be just one of the high-profile celebrities in attendance at Aretha Franklin’s funeral this week, her publicist Gwendolyn Quinn confirmed to the Detroit Press.

Former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas, who was friends with Franklin, will be one of the speakers at the ceremony.

Thomas and Franklin became friends in the 1980s, when the point guard was drafted by the Pistons. The two-time NBA champion would win back-to-back trophies with the Pistons in 1989 and 1990.

Isiah Thomas has been friends with the late Aretha Franklin since the 1980s when he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Thomas will give a speech at Franklin’s funeral this Friday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Isiah Thomas has been friends with the late Aretha Franklin since the 1980s when he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Thomas will give a speech at Franklin’s funeral this Friday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Former President Bill Clinton, Tyler Perry, Rev. Al Sharpton, and the Detroit Mayor and Michigan Governor are also scheduled to speak at the Friday service.

Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Faith Hill and Jennifer Hudson are all scheduled to perform at Greater Grace Temple.

Franklin passed away at 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Detroit-native won 18 Grammy awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

The final viewing of Franklin will be held on Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. A concert, “A People’s Tribute to the Queen”, will follow the viewing.

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