DETROIT, Mich. - Aretha Franklin's body arrived at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History Tuesday morning in a 1936 white LaSalle as people lined the streets outside waiting to pay their respects to the Queen of Soul.
Many of fans slept all night on the sidewalk, hoping to be among the first into the museum. By 8 a.m., as many as 200 people lined up outside.
"I got chills," said Pat Turner, 56, of Alexandria Virginia, when she saw the car pull up with the gold casket inside.
Melissa Howard flew to Detroit from Austin, Texas, Monday, to be sure she secured her place in line.
"She's the Queen," said Howard, 50, who arrived at 6:30 p.m. Monday. "She's royalty. She's worth it."
Latonya McIntrye, 43, of Las Vegas also flew in to pay her respects.
"I got here at 4:30 yesterday afternoon," she said. "I love Aretha."
The body of the legendary singer is to lie in honor for public visitation starting at 9 a.m. at the museum. It's part of a week of mourning — and celebration — to honor Franklin, Detroit's hometown superstar, who died Aug. 16 of advanced pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.
Camille Howard joined her cousin Melissa Howard on the trip.
"I've never been to Detroit before," Camille Howard said. "Everyone has been so hospitable. It's a great opportunity for fellowship."
Howard said Franklin's niece, Chrystal, heard people were spending the night outside so she stopped by about 1 a.m. with some bottled water and White Castle hamburgers.
"She just wanted to thank us on behalf of the family," said Melissa Howard, who's been a fan since she was a child.
"I was blessed to see her twice," she said.
Six television trucks were parked nearby, including two satellite trucks parked in the median of East Warren Avenue. A police K-9 unit inspected around the entrance to the museum and parking was tight along the road.
The CVS drug store across the street wasn't open yet, but security guards already were there to shoo away would-be parking interlopers. But the mood was festive with people sharing memories of Franklin.
"When we were little girls, we would all dress up a little and sing her songs in the living," said Teresa Massey Walker, 48, who came from Buffalo, New York, to pay her respects. Her brother, Timothy Robinson, lives i Eastpointe and came with her about 9 p.m. Monday to get a good spot in line.
"I was a DJ in high school," Robinson said. "I loved to play her songs. Call Me was my favorite."
Thousands of fans, dignitaries, celebrities and politicians are expected to convene in the Motor City to pay their R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the icon known as the Queen of Soul, the Detroit diva who lifted her voice in praise at her father's church, at presidential inaugurations and for fans around the world.
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