NEWARK, N.J. — (AP) — Dionne Warwick, BeBe Winans, Darlene Love and a massive choir helped celebrate the life of gospel icon Cissy Houston during a music-filled memorial Thursday in the Duchess of Gospel’s hometown of Newark.
The ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church — where Houston was a congregant and choir leader for decades — was decorated with framed photos of Houston and her coffin was placed in front of the pulpit. The church also held daughter Whitney Houston’s funeral more than a decade ago.
“She gave so much. She gave me the right to be me,” said Warwick, 83, the 91-year-old Houston’s niece, who often backed up Warwick…