A final farewell for Aretha Franklin

Born in Memphis in 1942, Aretha Franklin grew up in Detroit, where she is being laid to rest August 31. The singer first made a name for herself as a gospel singer before releasing hits like "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Respect." She's influenced many of today's top musicians. At the funeral in her hometown, artists like Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande will pay musical tributes.

Among the big voices paying tribute to Franklin Friday is pop singer Ariana Grande. The 24-year-old singer met the Queen of Soul in 2014 when they were both performing at the White House as part of the "Women of Soul" concert. After Franklin's death on August 16, Grande gave a stirring performance of Franklin's hit "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

Among those family members and friends who were with Franklin in her final days was the singer Stevie Wonder. Wonder, who had attended her father's church in Detroit when he was a child, had said months before her death that they were planning on a collaboration. Franklin released his 1967 hit song "Until You Come Back To Me."

Aretha Franklin handpicked actor Jennifer Hudson to portray her in an upcoming biopic on the Queen of Soul. The former American Idol finalist and Dreamgirls star will sing "Amazing Grace" during the service. Hudson had previously staged Franklin tributes at the 2011 Grammy Awards and the 2014 BET Awards.

Legendary singer Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, will pay tribute to the Queen of Soul with a classic gospel song, "I'm Going Up Yonder." "I think it's a positive, beautiful spin on this thing called life. Death is a part of life," Khan said of the song.

Franklin grabbed the world's attention at Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration with her custom-made headwear — and shot Detroit-based milliner Luke Song to fame. Although the singer maintained a friendly relationship with the Obamas throughout the president's time in office, Barack and Michelle declined the invitation to the funeral, as they will be in Washington D.C. at the funeral of John McCain.

Although unable to personally attend services, the Obamas sent a letter to be read by Rev. Al Sharpton (seen here at Michael Jackson's funeral). "(E)very time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine," they wrote in a statement. "She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance."

An active supporter of women's and civil rights, Franklin remained politically active throughout her life and spoke out for other activists, including Angela Davis. Her songs "Respect" and "Natural Woman" have become anthems for social change. She has performed for several presidents, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, who will take the stage to pay tribute to the singer.

In 2015, President Obama said American history was interwoven in Franklin's repertoire. "Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R&B, rock and roll — the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope." Her star-studded funeral service on Friday is expected to last at least six hours.