C.L. Franklin’s Grave

Before Aretha was the Queen of Soul, she was a preacher’s daughter singing in his church — and what a preacher he was. The Rev. C.L. Franklin led New Bethel Baptist and became one of the most celebrated Black ministers in America, his sermons sold on records nationwide. In June 1963 he organized Detroit’s Walk to Freedom, a march of some 125,000 down Woodward Avenue where Dr. King previewed “I Have a Dream” two months before Washington heard it.

He rests at Woodlawn near his daughter Aretha — and near two more of his singing children, Erma and Carolyn. A family that gave Detroit its voice, gathered in one place. On our list.