Lenny Kravitz And More Mourn Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson had a remarkable career of many decades. She refused to star in roles that demeaned Black people. Her character portrayals won her a Tony, Emmys and an honorary Oscar.

The actress passed away on January 28, aged 96. Tyson’s death was announced by her family, via her manager Larry Thompson, who did not immediately provide additional details.

Cicely Tyson’s Harlem Memorial

Several well-known figures like Tyler Perry and Bill and Hillary Clinton were among the attendees of a private memorial service for Cicely Tyson at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, that the actress was part of for decades.

Gospel singer BeBe Winans sang ‘Stand’ as request from Tyson before her death and a letter was read by rocker Lenny Kravitz, who was her god son and a close friend.

Fans traveled across the country and stood in line to pay respects to Cicely Tyson at a public viewing earlier this week. Hundreds of admirers of the pioneering Black actor lined up outside Harlem’s famed Abyssinian Baptist Church to pay their last respects.

“The ceremony was beautiful. It was very Cicely Tyson: It was formal, it was humorous, it was sad, it was glorious,” said Larry Thompson, Tyson’s manager for more than 40 years.

Lenny Kravitz Shares Heartfelt Note

Lenny Kravitz shared an emotional note about Cicely Tyson, after news of her death was made official.

“With inimitable style and grace, my dear Godmother Miss Cicely Tyson made her grand exit to the heavens,” Kravitz wrote on January 29th.”She lived a remarkable life up to the last moment.”

Lenny Kravitz sang praises of his godmother as “a true pioneer, who bared her heart and soul so we could witness the spirit of the characters she so brilliantly portrayed, which continue to move and inspire generations. A Black queen who showed us how beautiful black is.”

“The love between us was and is tremendous,” Lenny Kravitz said in his post. “As long as I have had consciousness, I’ve known Godmother. She and my mother were kindred spirits. Sisters. And after my mother passed, Godmother’s role in my life was amplified. I constantly felt her spirit over me. She always gave me unconditional support. She came to my shows, came over for holidays, met me for dinners, stayed with me in Paris when I first moved there, and never let me too far out of her sight. Our phone calls went on sometimes for hours.”

Click here to view the full note Kravitz wrote in honor of Cicely Tyson, posted alongside a series of personal photos, on Instagram.

By: Anjana Sathyanarayanan