Etta James Funeral

The Etta James funeral in L.A. drew hundreds of mourners who gathered to remember the great singer, with tribute performances by Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder.

The 2-hour memorial service at the Greater Bethany Church City of Refuge in Gardena, California was officiated by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who eulogized Etta James as a woman who rose from a rough California childhood and turned her pain into a legendary music career.

"People need to understand that when they hear the music Etta James sang, she sang the times that she lived," Sharpton told funeral guests.  "She put our pain and our dreams and our love and our need for one another in her vocal chords, but the difference between her and other artists is somehow you felt she meant what she was saying."

Emotionally, Rev. Sharpton spoke to the spirit of Etta James, saying, "At last, you can get the gratitude of the Savior now.  Go on home, Etta.  Get your reward now ... you beat them, Etta.  You won, Etta.  Get your reward, Etta.  At last.  At last.  At last."

Sharpton also read aloud words of tribute from President Barack Obama:  "Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation's musical heritage."

Etta James is survived by husband Artis Mills, sons Donto and Sametto, and four grandchildren.

"Out of all the singers that I've ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me," said singer Christina Aguilera, who has included Etta James' signature song "At Last" in every concert she has performed.