Family, hearse arrive at Brown home

BEECH ISLAND -- The James Brown family procession has arrived at Mr. Brown's 62-acre property in rural Aiken County.

At about 5:30 p.m., a total of 5 vehicles arrived and went onto the property, including Mr. Brown's hearse.

They entered through a side gate instead of the main entrance.

-- Donnie Fetter

"Homegoing" service ends

The Rev. Larry Fryer has given the benediction at James Brown's four-hour "homegoing celebration" this afternoon, as the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson deliver parting words.

The gold casket carrying Mr. Brown's body is being closed as the family is now leaving for a private burial at Mr. Brown's Beech Island, S.C. home.

-- Johnny Edwards

Paine College presents honorary doctorate

Dr. Shirley A.R. Lewis, president of Paine College bestowed an honorary doctorate on Mr. Brown toward the end of the service. She said the degree was supposed to be given to Mr. Brown during the school's commencement in May.

"We were looking forward to seeing Mr. Brown march with the graduates," she said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said there was an "emergency meeting" on the night Mr. Brown died to determine whether the degree should be given at that time. It was determined it would be best to wait until the funeral so Mr. Brown's family could be present.

Dr. Lewis and Robert Bell, president of Paine College's board of trustees, presented the degree in recognition of Mr. Brown's unparralled contributions to the nation and the world. They spoke of his contibutions to music and his appreciation of education.

Mr. Brown's three daughters accepted the degree and accompanying cap and stole.
"And now ladies and gentlemen," Dr. Lewis said in closing. "Will you please - excuse me - will you please, please, please join me in applauding Dr. James Brown."

Mr. Brown had been a friend to the college during its most desperate times.

He came to Augusta to play a benefit for Paine on Feb. 4, 1969. The concert was a fund-raiser for the reconstruction of Haygood Hall which was destroyed by fire on Aug. 3, 1968. Haygood, built in 1869 was the campus's main building. The fire destroyed its historic clock tower as well as offices, classrooms, student records and a museum of African artifacts, according to Augusta Chronicle reports.

During a packed morning ceremony Feb. 4 at the college's Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel, campus and city officials declared Tuesday as "James Brown and Paine College Day."
When Mr. Brown arrived later in the day he was part of a parade down Broad Street that drew thousands of people. He visited a youth development center then performed for a sold out crowd at Bell Auditorium.

Paine College is a historically black private college on 15th Street in downtown Augusta. It was founded as Paine Institute in 1882 by black and white Methodists.

The Chronicle reported on Aug. 11, 1972, that Mr Brown was to perform a Soul Bowl concert that night at Butler High School Stadium with some donations going to Paine College's Built It Back Fund.

Mr. Brown was one of four black Augustans honored at the college by the Augusta Black History Committee on Sunday, Aug. 10, 1986.

- Elizabeth Adams

Brown children speak

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The three adult children of James Brown spoke publicly for the first time following their father's death on Christmas Day.

"I just want a moment to thank God for all the love you have shown me and my family," said Deanna Brown after 3:30 p.m. "... and I want to thank for my father for bringing me into this world."

Following remarks from Mr. Brown's adult children, the Rev. Jesse Jackson's daughter, Santita Jackson, sang two songs, including "The Greatest Love of All."

Her father has just delivered a prayer -- and told the audience to show their love through applause for the Godfather of Soul.

-- Kamille Bostick

Michael Jackson makes remarks at Brown funeral

Michael Jackson spoke at James Brown's "homegoing celebration" after being invited by the Rev. Al Sharpton. The following is an excerpted quote from his brief remarks:

"James Brown is my greatest inspiration. Ever since I was a small child, no more than like 6 years old, my mother would wake me no matter what time it was ... to watch the television to see the master work. And when I saw him move, I was mesmerized. ... Right then and there, I know that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, because of James Brown."

"James Brown, I shall miss you, and I love you so much, and thank you for everything."

And to the screaming crowd, Mr. Jackson said, "I love you."

-- Kamille Bostick and Jeremy Craig

Continued playlist

Continued playlist:

"Kansas City," Marva Whitney

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"

"Georgia on My Mind," Bittersweets

"I Know You Got Soul," Bobby Byrd featuring Bootsy Collins on bass

"Sex Machine" -- during which Danny Ray threw a cape over Mr. Brown, MC Hammer danced--and the band tried to coax Michael Jackson on stage. (The Rev. Al Sharpton waved "no," and Mr. Jackson remained on the floor.)

-- Johnny Edwards

Tomi Rae Hynie Brown performs

Tomi Rae Hynie Brown is now performing "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at the "homegoing celebration" for James Brown.

She had been locked out of their Beech Island, S.C., home after Mr. Brown died on Christmas Day. Mr. Brown's attorneys have contended that she and Mr. Brown were not legally married at the time of his death.

-- Jeremy Craig

Michael Jackson enters arena as Soul Generals take stage

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- James Brown's most recent band, the Soul Generals, have taken the stage at Mr. Brown's "homegoing celebration" as pop star Michael Jackson entered the arena.

Danny Ray, Mr. Brown's "cape man," introduced the band as Michael Jackson entered the arena to loud cheers from the arena.

Tomi Rae Hynie Brown has joined Bittersweet, the backup singers, on stage.

Mr. Jackson stepped to Mr. Brown's casket to pay his respects and talked briefly with the Rev. Al Sharpton. Mr. Jackson later sat by the Rev. Jesse Jackson

The Soul Generals and Bittersweet performed "Soul Power," one of Mr. Brown's singles from 1971.

That was followed by Vicki Anderson, who toured with Mr. Brown, singing "It's A Man's Man's Man's World," a 1966 No. 1 hit.

-- Kamille Bostick

Derrick Monk performs

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Derrick Monk is performing "God Has Smiled on Me," with an improvisation from James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" at Mr. Brown's "homegoing celebration."

-- Johnny Edwards.

Temptations singer performs

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Ali Woodson of The Temptations is singing "Walk Around Heaven" at James Brown's "homegoing celebration" this afternoon.

-- Kamille Bostick

Order of Service from the James Brown Funeral

Order of Service

Processional - Georgia on My Mind, Georgia-Lina

Viewing

Video Tribute

Musical Tribute - James Brown's Band - The Soul Generals and other musical guests

Prayer of Comfort

Presentation
Dr. Shirley A.R. Lewis, President of Paine College
Robert L. Bell, Chairman of the Board Trustees of Paine College

Reflections

Benediction

Video tribute begins with last Augusta performance

Video of James Brown's last performance in Augusta is being aired in a video tribute to kick off his "homegoing celebration."

Mr. Brown performed at the James Brown Soul of America Music Festival in May.

It was followed by video of Mr. Brown singing an improvised version of "Georgia on My Mind" in London.

-- Kamille Bostick and Jeremy Craig

Live audio from James Brown Arena

We are now streaming live audio from James Brown Arena. Unfortunately, Internet bandwidth restrictions imposed this morning by arena management are preventing us from bringing you the video we planned to offer.

-- Jonathan Dozier

Service begins

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- With a request to turn off all cell phones and beepers, a hush has fallen over the James Brown Arena as fans, dignitaries, celebrities and mourners view family members processing by Mr. Brown's coffin.

Gentle, somber piano music is being piped in, as family, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Larry Fryer and others pause, then pass by, the body of the Godfather of Soul.

-- Johnny Edwards

Service to begin

With a request to turn off all cell phones and beepers, a hush has fallen over the James Brown Arena as fans, dignitaries, celebrities and mourners await for the arrival of James Brown's family.

On WRDW-TV's presentation of the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration," anchor Laurie Ott said -- in hushed tones normally used for golf tournaments -- they were told to "expect an entertainer" to come in.

We'll just have to wait and see who it is, for sure, but a brief title screen flashed the name of Michael Jackson before disappearing from the screen.

-- Jeremy Craig

Arena doors shut

OUTSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The doors to the James Brown Arena were shut at 12:23 p.m., and no more viewers were allowed inside the arena.

The last viewers are now filing out of the civic center. Seating capacity for the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration" was limited to 8,100.

-- Donnie Fetter

Family motorcade leaves for arena

C.A. REID SR. MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME -- James Brown's kin departed the funeral home on Laney-Walker Boulevard Extension at 12:30 p.m. to travel to the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration" at James Brown Arena.

Five black limousines, one white limousine and at least six Richmond County sheriff's deputies on motorcycles are en route to the civic center on Seventh Street.

-- Mike Wynn

Sharpton, Jackson arrive; local TV begins live coverage

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The Rev. Al Sharpton, James Brown's long-time friend, has arrived at the civic center, along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson for Mr. Brown's "homegoing service."

Meanwhile, the local TV stations have begun their special broadcasts from the arena. Each are playing retrospectives on Mr. Brown. WAGT-TV had a live feed from outside on the Seventh Sreet plaza; WRDW-TV turned on the cameras inside the civic center and showed the pastors escorted up the aisles.

-- Kamille Bostick and Jeremy Craig

"Cape man," impersonator bring cheers

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The crowd went berserk when Danny Ray, the man who had the responsibility for James Brown's cape through the years, made a walk around the arena named after Soul Brother No. 1 this morning.

Mr. Ray -- who typically put the cape back on Mr. Brown as the Godfather of Soul removed it, worked up in the middle of a song -- walked about like royalty, with ladies and men in waiting.

As he walked around each side of the arena, fans stood, screamed and clapped.

Crowds also cheered for a James Brown impersonator, who broke out into a dance.

-- Kamille Bostick and Amy Swann

Seating for 1 p.m. service is full

OUTSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Seating for the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration" for James Brown is now full as of 11:45 a.m., but fans and mourners can still view his body until 12:30 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies and workers are setting up barricades to allow the viewing line to file into the civic center, and back out. The viewing line will be cut off at 12:30 p.m.

The seating for the 1 p.m. service is limited to 8,100. It will be aired live on local TV stations WJBF-TV (Channel 6), WRDW-TV (Channel 12) and WAGT-TV (Channel 26), and the Chronicle Web site will feature a Web cast of the service, if available.

-- Donnie Fetter