Politics | 11/03/2008 12:10 pm

Jennifer Hudson's Family Attends Private Funeral Today

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Mourners arrived in limousines this morning for the private memorial services for Jennifer Hudson’s family members at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.

A little more than a week ago, the Oscar-winning actress learned that her mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were fatally shot at her mother’s house. Soon after, Hudson flew to Chicago to identify the body of her missing seven-year-old nephew, Julian King. No charges in the shootings have been made yet. Authorities name William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, Julia, a "person of interest," according to the Associated Press. King’s body was reportedly found in an SUV belonging to Balfour.

Jennifer Hudson didn’t attend memorial services held this weekend for her mother, brother and nephew at her childhood Baptist church, the AP reports. Mourners yesterday shared jokes, memories and tears, the AP reports.

One friend said that Darnell, nicknamed "Doll," was looking forward to casting her ballot on Election Day. Julian’s second-grade classmates called him smart and said he enjoyed telling knock-knock jokes.

Hudson reportedly hasn’t been able to bear to enter the house where her mother and brother were murdered. But according to the AP, which spoke to a witness who accompanied Hudson with her family to the medical examiner’s office last week to identify Julian’s body, Hudson was one of the strongest members in her family — "a pillar in that room."

Read more about: crime, Death, Entertainment, Jennifer Hudson, News, Tragedy

9 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Welcome to the South side of Chi-town where murder is all the rage!

By HA BIBI on 11/03/2008 1:03 pm

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Private Funeral Today.

By Jennifer Dooley on 11/03/2008 1:22 pm

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My Heart goes out to Jennifer and the rest of her family After my daughter in law was murdered in her own home it was very difficult to walk into that house and see where the murder occurred. We also as a family lived through the agony of having my two grandchildren kidnapped at the same time. We’ve never found my granddaughters. My heart was broken when they found the little boy in that car. I know the horror of such a tragedy, This is something a person never gets over. In time the pain deminishes but never goes away.. I pray they are able to be strong for each other. I’m sure people from around the World are keeping Jennifer and her family in their prayers.

By Dona Howlett on 11/03/2008 2:38 pm

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Oh Dona, my heart aches for you! I just can’t imagine how your family has survived such grief. I have 7 grandchildren of my own, and I couldn’t even fathom the depth of my despair if we lost any of them, or one of our children. You and your family will be in my prayers every day from now on. Bless your heart.

By Nanny hasSeven on 11/03/2008 3:24 pm

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Dona, I too was surprised that they stayed in that house where someone was murdered. I could never do it, and I am not sure I could find your strength. As for Jennifer’s ex-brother-in-law, It’s unfortunate when women make bad decisions when they date or marry. So many women are attracted to the “bad boy”, but when there is a child involved, mothers should make wiser decisions rather than marry someone with a criminal record of violence. This may sound harsh, but that child might be alive today as well as the mother and brother.

By Brooklyn Gal on 11/03/2008 5:01 pm

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Carol, You are right in saying women should choose their mates with more care. But if every women who made a bad choice had to lose their family by murder we would have Blood running in the streets of America. What is our divorce rate………1 in 4………..lots of bad choices have been made. All I can feel for this family is a great deal of love and have absolute empathy. None of us know the future…………none of us know what we are capable of doing under the worst of circmstances. We are a lot stronger than we realize. If someone had told me what horror I would have to live through I would have responded the same as you………. It’s the hardest thing to work though……….all the pain……..fear……….anger……RAGE…(you stay in shock for days and weeks)…..You wake up each morning and discover you are still breathing………..You are alive and you get up and try to do the best you can. It takes a long long time to return to a semblance of normalcy. Nothing is ever the same again. It’s been over 30 years since our family’s tragedy. It seems a life time ago and then some days the pain swoopes in and overwhelms me again. I wouldn’t wish this kind of thing to happen to anyone.

By Dona Howlett on 11/03/2008 5:25 pm

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Dona, I can’t imagine. My brother’s death 3 months ago has wrecked us all. I know it will always be with us, and don’t know how you and people like Jennifer Hudson cope. You must be very strong. But then your health problems might have their root in your tragedy. I’ve always been healthy and can see how this could wreck one’s health and overall wellbeing. Like you say, you’re fine and then overwhelmed.

By Wine Warrior on 11/04/2008 10:13 am

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Wine Warrior, Suzanne, Yes, I to am amazed at times……..I wonder Where does this strength come from? I’m sure my health is partly due to this kind of stress and strain over the years. My husband died 7 years ago and within the next three months I also lost my Mother, sister in law, a cousin and two dear friends….That again has been overwhelming. The loss of my darling 16 year old grandson (after a heart transplant) back in 1999 almost again destroyed me…..(I also lost my brother and father that year) So, as I’ve said to others, You never know how much you can live with. Believe me there have been times when I’ve sat in my chair late at night and said I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up. I really dont want my life to end…………..I just want to be without all the pain………both in the body and spirit. I’m by nature a very optimistic person………great sense of humor…..these traits help me on a daily basis. I do believe that LIFE is for the LIVING……….I also believe that our loved ones are happy on the ‘Other Side’. Suzanne, it will get better…………never the same. When someone we love so dearly leaves us they take a little part of our heart with them. Take that hole in your Heart and fill it with lovely memories of your brother………..use your mind like a TV……..when the OH so sad thoughts come, Change channels and turn to one where the memories are filled with laughter and fun with that special person. I’m a BIG CHANNEL CHANGER……….it really does help.

By Dona Howlett on 11/04/2008 2:59 pm

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I really feel bad for Jennifer. To lose 3 family members at one time is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. My heart goes out to her, as do my prayers, for her and her family.

By Joan Brown on 11/04/2008 12:20 am