Mourners filled 10,500-seat New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to near capacity for a two-hour service one week after Lopes, part of the best-selling female trio TLC, was killed in a car crash in Honduras.
The pastor of the church, the Reverend Eddie Long, said ``I know in this situation it's difficult to rejoice at the passing of someone we loved. But it would be a mockery of her life if we did not celebrate life.''
The gospel duo Mary Mary and about 150 colorfully dressed choir members led mourners in song, and friends and family members paid tribute to Lopes, who was widely known as the most volatile member of the R&B trio.
Her aunt, Pamela Young, said ``I have a name for her -- the Lionhearted Little Lamb -- because just as much as she was brave and tough and streetwise, she was gentle. She was gentle as a lamb.''
Some fans showed up hours in advance to get a seat at the funeral, which began at midday.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/195201