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Motown Pays Their Respect at Teena Marie Memorial

Posted Jan 11th 2011 1:30PM by Steven J. Horowitz
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Reed Saxon, AP

The world lost Teena Marie on Dec. 26 at the age of 54, and Motown paid tribute to her one last time. During a two-hour private ceremony yesterday, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy Jr., Shanice Wilson and Queen Latifah all paid respect to the late singer at Los Angeles' Forest Lawn Memorial Park, celebrating the Ivory Queen of Soul.

During the ceremony, Motown founder Gordy and Wonder spoke on their memories of Marie, while Robinson and Wilson performed for those in attendance. Additionally, Marie's daughter Alia Rose Brockert memorialized her mother, and entertainers including comedian Kym Whitley, Shirley Murdock and New Edition were said to have attended the service.

The singer unexpectedly passed away in her sleep last month at her home in Pasadena, Calif. There were no signs of trauma found during her autopsy, with her family believing that she died of natural causes. A toxicology report will be issued within the next month.

Marie, who was born Marie Christine Brockert, rose to prominence in the '70s and '80s as a protégé of the late Rick James. After releasing her debut 'Wild and Peaceful' in 1979, the Motown signee released 13 albums over her four-decade career, most recently putting out 'Congo Square' in 2009.

Listen to Teena Marie and Smokey Robinson's 'God Has Created/Cruise Control'