Prayers For The Queen Of Soul
• The world continues to keep Aretha Franklin in its thoughts and prayers, as the undisputed “Queen Of Soul,” remains gravely ill. According to a Monday afternoon update on People.com, the legendary singer’s death is “imminent.” A longtime friend of Ms. Franklin told People, “She has been ill for a long time. She did not want people to know and she didn’t make it public.”
A source close to Franklin spoke to the Associated Press on Monday to confirm that the 76-year-old legend is “seriously ill,” although they did not provide any additional details. Franklin was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011, but she had denied those reports. Last February, she announced that 2017 would be her last year “in concert.”
Showbiz 411 reporter Roger Friedman was the first to report that Franklin was “gravely ill,” adding that Franklin’s family was “asking for prayers and privacy.”
Evrod Cassimy, a news anchor on WDIV (Local 4)/Detroit tweeted, “I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this evening. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.” On Monday morning Cassimy said that Franklin is alert and speaking, tweeting, “Just got a chance to speak to Aretha Franklin. She is resting and surrounded by close friends and family.”
