Singer Betty Wright Laid To Rest In Miami, Uncle Luke Gives Eulogy

Betty Wright

R&B Singer Betty Wright Is Laid To Rest In Three Hour Funeral In Miami

R&B singer Betty Wright was laid to rest on Saturday (May 23) surrounded by her friends, family, and fellow singers and songwriters. Many guests gave their own eulogies to the late R&B legend, showcasing the close relationships she had with everyone from family to musical mentors and mentees.

Because Betty Wright had helped legendary singer Gloria Estefan with arranging vocals on her song “Coming Out of the Dark”, the Estefans were invited to the service but could not make it. Instead, Gloria Estefan sent her own message to Betty:

Gloria and Emilio Estefan

“Betty Wright was a force to be reckoned with. She wielded her soulful power in her own music but was incredibly generous when it came to coaxing the best performances out of every one of her students and the artists she worked with, one of which, was me. There is no way that ‘Coming Out of the Dark’ would have had its gospel infused force without Betty’s input. She drew every note out of my soul so that it could touch the hearts of so many people that helped me overcome one of the darkest moments of my life. I will be forever thankful for her incredible talent, her musical wisdom and the fact that I was touched by her light.”

Uncle Luke

Uncle Luke (born Luther Campbell) of the 2 Live Crew gave an emotional eulogy and reflected on growing up with Betty Wright in the Liberty City neighborhood in Miami.

“There was not a day I didn’t have a conversation with her leading up the day this strong, black woman called me up to say ‘I’m going home to be with the Lord, I never had a call like that. ‘I’m going to be with the Lord, Luke.’ And we talked about Jazz in the Gardens and we talked about people she loved. We talked about, you name it. Betty was the only person that could put me in check. She was the only one that could call me and say, ‘Be easy on certain people’ because I am rough sometimes. I come from that house on 10th Avenue. If you’ve ever been to that house you got the best of both worlds.”

Betty’s goddaughter Clovette Danzy paid tribute to her godmother in a heartfelt speech,

“I met Betty at age 12, and she became my godmother at the time. She was singing ‘People Get Ready,’ and I studied her and I watched her and she taught me everything I know about singing. Betty was a talented woman, an innovator, an originator, a collaborator, she was an extraordinary woman, a gift from God to bless all mankind all over the world. She ministered in song. She was a blessing to me and my family and children.”

After her speech, Clovette Danzy sang the gospel song, “He Done Enough.” Danzy said that the song was the last one Betty directed for her.

#NOW: Quite the send off for this #Miami legend. #BettyWright remembered, honored for a life rich in #music #talent — but she was also a #pastor, #evangelist, friend and #mentor to many. @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/8wikyyYusX

— Hatzel Vela (@HatzelVelaWPLG) May 23, 2020

Betty Wright was laid to rest in a gold casket in a funeral procession. She was 66 years old and reportedly passed away from a private battle with cancer.

Singer Betty Wright

We send our condolences to Betty Wright’s family and friends.