Mourners outside the home where Jennifer Hudson’s family was murdered. Taken 10/29/08. Credit: WENN
The memorial for Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew was held Monday afternoon at a church in Chicago. The memorial was attended by over 450 people paying their respects and supporting Jennifer Hudson and her family, some of whom were a little more well-known than her neighborhood friends and family.
On Monday afternoon on Chicago’s South Side, Beyoncé, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Fantasia, Missy Elliot, Patti LaBelle and Queen Latifah were among the 450 mourners packing the pews of the Apostolic Church of God for the memorial ceremony to celebrate the life — and mourn the loss of — Jennifer’s mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason, and her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King…
[From OK! Magazine]
Another famous attendee, Oprah Winfrey, has been a great support and shoulder for Jennifer Husdon through her grief. Oprah, who lives and films her show in Chicago, has opened one of her homes to Hudson. Jennifer has been staying in one of Oprah’s condos in the windy city, where there is said to be plenty of privacy and security.
450 people paying respects to these three people is a touching show of love and support. In everything I’ve read about Jennifer’s mother, she was loved in her Chicago neighborhood. Even though Jennifer had asked her mother to leave the violent area, Darnell Donerson refused to leave her friends and her church. Obviously she was not forgotten when it came time to say goodbye to her, her son and her grandson.
Jennifer attended the memorial with her fiance, David Otunga. Fantasia sang at the services.
Not being funny but Jennifer’s sister Julia, in addition to losing her mother and brother, also lost her SON, and yet she doesn’t even get a mention here? This just buys into the bs that celebs’ grief/babies/whatever are more heartfelt and important than other people’s. It’s a tragedy for the family – ALL the family, and the one who’s probably feeling the most pain here is Julia, the person at the centre of this horrible mess. Her grief deserves at least some acknowledgement here.
I agree, Geronimo.
It does come across as if maybe Julia’s pain is not really worth mentioning, whereas she is the one to also have lost a child. I can’t imagine anything more horrible than that.
Anyway, I’m glad both Julia and Jennifer are getting so much heartfelt support from all kinds of friends and family members. They deserve it and their mother, brother and Julian certainly deserve it. May they rest in peace.
I just hope justice prevails for them all and they find the killer/s.
R.I.P Julian, Jason and Darnell
So sad.
I think Jennifer gets more mention because she is the famous one. Other non-famous people who suffer tradgedy such as this are not written about on websites like this. I don’t believe the intention is to dismiss her sisters pain – it is just a realistic (and very sad) fact that she is not famous and therefore not as newsworthy.
It’s worse for Julia- not only did she lose her mom, brother and baby boy but she will undoubtedly live with the guilt of knowing that she brought that thug into her family’s lives.
I was wondering the same thing geronimo. Glad you pointed that out. I understand that Jennifer is the famous one but it’s a FAMILY tragedy and Julia’s grief should be acknowledged as well. I’m hoping that they BOTH are getting the love and support they need, during this difficult time.
Yes, Jennifer gets more attention because she’s a celebrity, but it is also the fact that, while my heart goes to Julia, she isn’t exactly a completely innocent victim. Her relationship with Balfour makes her less of a sympathetic character I fear. And, whether they are true or not, there are so many rumors regarding the drug history of Jason Hudson. Jennifer comes across as most like her mom and as a tragic figure in all of this. Ultimately, it isn’t for us to judge. Three people have been lost; one of them a delightful and precious child. All people of goodwill mourn their loss and extend condolences to those who knew and loved them. RIP
I want to know why they haven’t arrested that jerk yet. What’s up with that? Do you realize if they had arrested him for possession of drugs the week prior, that would have violated his parole and he would have been off the streets and Jennifer’s family would still be alive? What’s wrong with our policing system? Why are they so worried about protecting the rights of these drug addicted thugs? Truly tragic and such a preventable thing had the police done their job properly!
Because his stupid momma went on tv to say how he son was innocent and just being used as a scapegoat, so now they have to have twice the evidence to prove that it’s true before they can arrest him.
And the criminals get off all the time because of scumbag lawyers. Thank them for ruining our “justice” system.
“And the criminals get off all the time because of scumbag lawyers. Thank them for ruining our “justice” system”
WOW- That is a pretty naive statement. Everyone has the right to representation and their day in court whether you like it or not.
i hope you feel better and keep going on with your celebrity life and know they will be proud.
wow what a great family of jennifer hundson describes in this blog great site for spread info