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This video- A PRIVATE MEMORIAL SERVICE celebrating the lives of the three slain Hudson family members was held Monday, November 3, 2008 at the Apostolic Church of God on Chicago's South Side.
Jennifer Hudson stood a few moments before the caskets of her nephew, Julian King, age 7, her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, age 57 and brother, Jason Hudson, age 29.
Darnell and Jason were killed in their South Side Chicago Englewood home on Friday, October 24, 2008. Julian was missing for three days before he was found in Lawndale on the West Side, apparently murdered, his body in the stolen suburban owned by Jason.
Friend singer/actress Fantasia Barrino, who appeared with Jennifer Hudson in American Idol Season 3, delivered a heartfelt song according to funeral attenders. Fellow Idol contestant George Huff also sang.
It was reported that Jennifer's friends Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and Oprah Winfrey were also among the 2500 mourners, as well as record producer Clive Davis and Chicago government officials including Mayor Richard Daley, who also spoke. The Reverend Jesse Jackson delivered a message as well.
Crowds of fans lined the streets expressing their love and support for Jennifer and her family.
Video Copyright ABC7 Chicago
Monday, November 3, 2008
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JULIAN KING, age 7, was found dead in his uncle's stolen suburban on the West Side of Chicago on Monday morning, October 27, 2008. He had disappeared after his uncle and grandmother were murdered in their South Side home on Friday, October 24, 2008.
These three people were the loved ones of American Idol alumna and Oscar award winner Jennifer Hudson and her family. Lost were Jennifer's mom, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, her brother Jason Hudson, 29 and her sister Julia's son, Julian King, 7.
The prime suspect is Julia's estranged husband, William Balfour, 27. He is being held on unrelated probation violations.
Much sympathy, prayers and thoughts go out to the Hudson family at this terrible time.
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Excerpts from CLTV-
Hudson went first to Julian, 7, who was dressed in white to match his casket.
She then moved to her mother, the matriarch who encouraged her to try out for "American Idol" and wouldn't leave her Englewood home despite her younger daughter's fame. The actress lingered at her mother's light pink casket and gently touched Donerson before leaning down to kiss her goodbye.
Hudson paused at her brother's blue casket before returning to her seat, where she joined her fiance, reality-TV star David "Punk" Otunga, and her sister, Julia. Hudson's composure amid the heartbreaking goodbye became the day's defining moment for many mourners.
"Jennifer is the pillar," family friend Glover Lewis said as he left the Woodlawn church. "It's obvious she's holding the family together."
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The invitation-only event required all guests have their names on a list and a light blue ticket with "Hudson Family Funeral" printed on it. The Tribune did not enter the church out of respect for the family's wish that no news media attend.
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The emotional crescendo, however, came halfway through the service when Barrino, who beat Hudson for the 2004 "American Idol" title, sang the classic gospel song "Your Grace and Mercy," mourners said. After losing to Barrino on "Idol," Hudson beat her out for the coveted role of Effie White in "Dreamgirls" and went on to win an Academy Award.
Calling the Hudsons "my family," Barrino walked off the stage and into the aisle, where she took Hudson's hand and sang directly to her.
"I think it healed Jennifer's soul just then," said family friend Lisa Allison.
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Two hearses led the procession to Oak Woods Cemetery. Julian's small white coffin was carried in a horse-drawn carriage covered in red roses and a large teddy bear. The three victims were buried on a small knoll overlooking a pond.
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