What a way to go home! And God Bless Ron Tyson of the Temptations for showing how much class HE has. Ron flew all the way to L.A. and came to the church just to say goodbye to his friend before the service started, and then, immediately, left to go right back to the airport to catch another flight back to the mid-west where the Temps had a show that night. Ali would have moved Heaven and earth to do the same for Ron and any of the other Temps. Judging from all the comments I've seen all over the internet today Ron has earned some major points with everyone from friends to fans for showing how much he loved and respected his friend and brother Temptation, ALI OLLIE WOODSON.

Ali was laid to rest on Saturday, June 5th and the whole day was just a wonderful celebration of the life of a wonderful man. The Detroit/Motown family turned out in force for one of their own... Actress Denise Nicholas, Temptations member Ron Tyson, The Miracles' Claudette Robinson, Janie Bradford, Iris and Karla Gordy, Brenda Holloway, Reggie Dozier, the children and widow of late Temptations' original members David Ruffin, Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin - David Ruffin, Jr., Paul Williams, Jr., and Kimberly Franklin, respectively, and, of course our own Scherrie Payne along with her sister, singer/actress Freda Payne, and a host of other Detroit/Motown alums including TD4F's Joyce and Pam Vincent. There was also a strong Chicago contingent there, too, that included myself and Lorrin "Smokey" Bates, who co-produced the two songs I recorded with Ali for the Tour De 4Force CD, "Quiet Moon." He is also the co-writer of "Heaven Bound." Brenda Lee Eager and also Windy Barnes, who also made a guest appearance on the "Quiet Moon" CD were also among the Chicagoans in the house.
There were moving and heartfelt testimonies and proclamations from religious icons like Bishop Kenneth Ulmer and Bishop Noel Jones (who was Ali's pastor at the City Of Refuge Church where the services were held), political dignitaries like California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, superstars like Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Howard Hewitt, and a soul-stirring musical tribute by his good friend Aretha Franklin who couldn't be there in person but flew her sister-in-law Earlene all the way from Detroit to deliver a video tribute featuring an amazing performance of "I'll Fly Away" that had everyone in tears. As Aretha spoke about her friend "Ollie Wood from Hollywood," her voice soared to the heavens in the background, sending chills through everyone in the church. It was truly one of the most amazing performances I have ever heard Aretha sing! A photo montage of Ali from childhood all the way through his life was accompanied by Ali's music, especially from the "For Lovers Only" CD (my personal favorite Temptations CD) that had everybody swaying and reminiscing. Three of Ali's children, son A.J., daughters Aliah and Jhae'Ali spoke lovingly of their father in tributes that moved everyone to tears, and Barry White's daughter, Sophia, also spoke of her love for and heartbreak over the loss of her "adopted Daddy."

The re-pass at the Universal Sheraton Hotel was a continuation of the joy we had all experienced during the services at City Of Refuge church. It was a gathering fit for a king that brought out the likes of Teena Marie, Brenda Lee Eager, Brenda Holloway, HB Barnum, Scherrie & Freda Payne and many, many more. Ali's music played as everyone dined and Ali would have loved it when everyone erupted into cheers of excitement and rose to their feet to dance and sing along when "Treat Her Like A Lady" came over the P.A. The song ended with everyone cheering, clapping, whistling and shouting out "THANK YOU OLLIE!!"

It was truly a joyful home-going for a man who truly deserved it and so much more. I was so happy to be there to say goodbye to my friend one more time and to share in the collective kinship everyone felt because each and every one of us had had the privilege of having our lives touched by this extraordinary man.
Scherrie Payne remarked to me how prophetic it is that one of the songs Ali recorded for us for the new "Quiet Moon" CD is "Heaven Bound." But, of course, we knew it wasn't an accident because there are no accidents or coincidences. I know that it was God who led me to call Ali and say, "Hey Ali. I've got another song I want you to hear. Let me know if you want to do it." We had already recorded "Four Walls" and that was all Ali was supposed to do for me. But it was God who led me to pull him back again with "Heaven Bound." And it was God that led Ali to call me back right away and say without hesitation, "Yep Yep!" Ali flew in and came directly from the airport to the studio to record "Heaven Bound" for me even though he was exhausted and sick. But it was truly divine intervention that led him there that day, just as it was divine intervention that now gives Ali eternal peace.

R.I.P. ALI!