Lionel Richie Pays Tribute To Natalie Cole At Her Funeral

Natalie Cole tragically died of congestive heart failure on New Year’s Eve at 65-years-old, and the singing legend was laid to rest yesterday.

The funeral for the ‘Miss You Like Crazy’ star was held at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Los Angeles.

[Copyright: Rex]

Lionel Richie is just one of the stars to pay his respects to Natalie, with the singer paying tribute with an emotional speech about how the star faced “extra pressure” to succeed because of her father Nat King Cole’s fame.

He said: “Natalie had one extra pressure that she was faced with every day of her life.

“She was a little girl who wanted to be a superstar in a family that already had a superstar. That’s what make her prize of winning so unforgettable.”

A young Natalie with her father [Copyright: Rex]

Smokey Robinson also paid tribute, sharing: “I feel so blessed to have called Natalie my friend, and my buddy, and many times my confidante.

“You are so real and down to earth. Now I have to say you’re so real and up to heaven.”

Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan gave musical performances during the three hour service with the congregation then gathering at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale where Natalie was laid to rest alongside her parents.