Soul Legend James Brown Gets Loud And Proud Final Farewell

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Legendary soul singer James Brown received a third and final farewell ceremony Saturday, in the arena named for him in his hometown, a send-off that was filled with song, clapping and cheers. "We come to thank God for James Brown," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, "because only God could have made a James Brown possible, and only God can give James Brown rest." Brown's body was later taken to his 65-acre estate in Beech Island, S.C., where family and friends had a brief private ceremony. He had been publicly eulogized at New York City's Apollo Theater and at the Carpentersville Baptist Church in North Augusta. The singer died of congestive heart failure in Atlanta December 25, at the age of 73. Hundreds of fans were turned away when the 8,100-seat James Brown Arena filled to capacity, missing the chance to get a final look at the flamboyant entertainer in his 24-karat gold casket.