Jackson tributes buried at Woodlawn July 18, 2009

Jackson tributes buried at Woodlawn

BY CASSANDRA SPRATLING • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 18, 2009

Two vaults full of teddy bears, plastic floral arrangements and other memorabilia were buried Friday morning at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit at a granite tombstone marked, "Motown Remembers the King of Pop, Michael J. Jackson."


Approximately 50 fans stood around, some shedding tears, as Motown Museum CEO Audley Smith and radio personality John Mason spoke.

Smith said the burial and service was a way to bring closure to the shrine to Jackson that began on the steps of the museum as soon as people learned of the singer's death.

"The museum will continue to celebrate his life," Smith said. "This is a way to say we appreciate you, Michael, from all your Detroit fans."

Mason said Michael Jackson would have appreciated the Detroit service.

"Detroit is where he was able to capture that star, put it in his heart and become who he became," Mason said.

Mason and Smith thanked the many fans who'd dropped off hundreds of stuffed animals, floral arrangements, posters, drawings and other memorabilia.

Smith said some of the items, particularly storybooks and drawings, will be kept by the museum and used in a future exhibit honoring Jackson.

The James H. Cole Funeral Home, located next door to the museum on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, donated two hearses to transport the tributes. The hearses were escorted by a Detroit police car and followed by nearly a dozen cars that were greeted by even more cars and people at the cemetery.

"This is our first time transporting mementos and stuffed animals for burial," said Karla Cole, co-owner and president of the funeral home. She estimated that upwards to 150 items filled the two hearses.

The funeral home also has a Web site where people can sign a guestbook and write an online tribute to Jackson and his family. Find it at: www.jameshcole.com.

Woodlawn donated the burial plot; Simpson Granite Works of Detroit donated the tombstone and American Eagle Precast, known as American Vault, of Detroit donated the vaults.

"Cemeteries are for the living," said Tracy Fowlkes-Elijah, area director for Woodlawn, explaining that the cemetery was happy to provide a place where people can come to remember and reflect on Jackson's life and legacy.

After the service, four people led an impromptu medley of Jackson songs, including "Never Can Say Goodbye."

Lisy Henderson, 55, of Detroit, one of those leading the group in song, said she was among those who'd left items on the museum steps and she felt she had to be at Friday's service.

"I had to bring closure," she said. "I never can say good-bye, but this helps end the mourning. I loved his music. I loved the joy he brought to me through his music, his dancing and his humanitarianism."

Twuawn Brown, 28, of Detroit, a Michael Jackson impersonator, said he was there "to share the love and remember Michael."

SOURCE:http://www.freep.com/article/20090718/FEATURES01/907180337/Jackson-tributes-buried-at-Woodlawn