Tears, tribute as Goldie is laid to rest in Lagos

Goldie was buried on Monday morning.

The burial ceremony of the late pop singer, Susan ‘Goldie’ Harvey, was held on Monday morning at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos Island.

The ceremony, which took place roughly two weeks after her untimely death, witnessed a handful of celebrities, colleagues, family, friends, and her husband, Andrew Harvey, who was earlier rumoured to be unable to attend the event after being allegedly denied visa by the Nigerian High Commission in the U.K.

Celebrities at the event included fellow label mates KSB, Essence, Jaywon and Eedris Abdulkareem. Others are DJ Jimmy JATT, Weird MC, ID Ogungbe, Keke Ogungbe, Seun Oloketuyi, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, Dele Momodu, eLDee the don, Sexy Steel, Freeze, Olisa Adibua, Tiwa Savage and many others.

Goldie’s remains was brought into the premises of the private cemetery in a R350 Mercedes Benz by MIC Caskets and Rangers. Her friends, including Denrele Edun, escorted the casket at about 9:30 a.m.

The first and second bible readings were read by the late singer’s siblings, while Kennis Music (Goldie’s Record label) boss, Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogungbe, delivered a short speech.

He said amidst tears, ”Lovely and talented Oluwabimpe Goldie Susan, if I’m to start saying all I can’t finish’, although it’s painful, so lovely to have left on Valentine’s Day, May almighty God grant your soul eternal rest forever and ever in Jesus Name Amen.”

Her best friend, Derenle, also paid glowing tribute to his favourite buddy saying, ‘The Goldie I knew despite the World recognition, I would move mountains, I would break ceilings sell your legacy and you are the best friend I forever had’, I can hear you say to me, do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand on my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die.”

In the same vein, her husband, Harvey said, ‘Susan you walked into my life; it was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said: ‘Love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack on the Titanic. Forget about love, just have friendship and live long.”

“Overtime our love grew to a depth I have never known. You were the best years of my life, your smile, your desire to live your dream,” the husband added.

In his brief sermon, the officiating pastor gave a sermon that bothered around ‘what people will say about you when you leave here on earth’.

The 31-year old singer died on Valentine’s Day, after complaining of headache hours after returning from Los Angeles where she attended the 55th Grammy Awards alongside Kenny Ogungbe.

Born in Lagos into the family of Pastor Samuel Dipo Filani and Late Bisi Betty Filani, Goldie was a native of Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria.

She attended Green Springs Montessori Primary School, Anthony Village, in 1985 and later obtained a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Management from the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom.

Until her untimely death, Goldie had three albums to her credit, with a fourth ‘The African Invasion’, in the works.