Oprah Winfrey leans on best friend Gayle King for support at dad Vernon Winfrey's funeral
Oprah Winfrey had the support of her closest friend Gayle King at the funeral of her father Vernon Winfrey on Thursday, July 14. Vernon, a politician and businessman from Nashville, passed away on Friday, July 8, at the age of 89 following a long battle with cancer. His funeral, which was widely attended by Hollywood personalities and businessmen, was held at the Temple Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Wednesday, July 13, a memorial service for Vernon was held in the Robert E Lewis Memorial Chapel. Announcing her father's passing on Instagram, Oprah said, "Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard," Oprah stated. "My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song. He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak."
ALSO READ
Anesthetist filmed sexually assaulting pregnant woman after heavily sedating her during C-section
Who was Simon Currat? Colorado boy, 6, dies after being bitten by rattlesnake during bike ride
"Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside, I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath," Oprah added. "We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing. That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts."
Before he passed away, Oprah gave her father a "Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Celebration" on July 4. Gayle King, the host of "CBS Mornings" and a close friend of Oprah's, paid tribute to Vernon on Monday.
"My talk of the table is a tribute to Vernon Winfrey," King said. "Vernon Winfrey of course is Oprah's dad you may have heard that he died in Nashville on Friday he was 89. Now this sad news comes less than a week after Oprah's had a surprise Backyard Barbecue party for him she called it Vernon Winfrey appreciation day celebration it was great."
She ended her tribute by describing how she found out about Vernon's passing and how important he was to Oprah. "I was at a dinner on Friday night in Idaho and I got a text from Oprah that just said 'gone' I of course knew what that meant because you know she's been in Nashville for that past several weeks he had cancer that had spread over his body," King said.
"She knew it was only a matter of time but the tribute to him he thought it was a 4th of July party so when he came out and saw all the people he knew and loved and that Oprah had done this for him he said I didn't know that I was loved this much it was really very touching to hear people pay tribute to him and him take it all in," King said. "He said you know I just want to make it my 90th birthday which is at the beginning of next year and Oprah said you know it's not about the years it's not about a number it's about what you've done while you've been here on this Earth."
"I really feel that when the moment came and Oprah was there as it turns out she was in the room she said it's very powerful seeing someone pass away that way but at least I think he was at peace and I think she was at peace she's always been a very good daughter but he was really a one of a kind," King concluded.
Oprah wrote on Instagram, "My father is ill and so we wanted to be able to have all of his friends come and celebrate him while he’s able to receive the joy." In addition to being Oprah's father, Vernon also owned a barbershop for many years and served on the Metro City Council of Nashville.
TOP STORIES
Who is Sarah Lopez? Dem witness infuriates Internet by saying abortion was ‘an act of SELF-LOVE’
In her "The Life You Want" Class on forgiveness, Oprah began the discussion by paying tribute to her late father, Vernon Winfrey, who passed away on July 8. She praised his work ethic and cited his example as the reason she never missed an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show during its 25-year run. She then said that his relentless commitment and zest for life extended to his fight against stage-four cancer. Oprah continued by explaining why she was happy she had followed her instincts in choosing to make her father's final days happy.
Vernon was accepted into the National Barber Hall of Fame for his 56 years as a master barber. According to the Tennessee Tribune, he was also a founding member of the Faith United Missionary Baptist Church and worked there for 45 years as a minister.