Former model, actress and mother Kim Porter was laid to rest in her hometown of Columbus, Ga., on Saturday morning.
The memorial service, which was held at Cascade Hills Church, had an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 attendees, according to TMZ. Among the mourners in attendance were Mary J. Blige, Kandi Burruss, Lil Kim, Tichina Arnold, Yolanda Adams, Nene Leakes, Toya Wright, Kimora Lee Simmons, Stevie J, and Faith Evans, who performed a tribute honoring her memory.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, 49, with whom she shared three children, arranged for Porter’s golden casket to travel in a carriage pulled by horses during the public funeral. The casket was adorned with white roses, as was the church where the ceremony took place. The service was officiated by Bishop T.D. Jakes.
While Diddy spoke during the ceremony, Bishop Noel Jones delivered the eulogy. Other speakers included Mary J. Blige and Porter’s 27-year-old son Quincy Brown, who broke down while making his remarks. It was at that moment that Brown’s father, R&B legend Al B. Sure!, joined Brown and Combs onstage to provide comfort.
“At the end of the service, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” played and everyone exited the church,” an eyewitness told E! News. “They headed for the burial at Evergreen Memorial Park where fireworks were ready to be set off from the parking lot next door.”
At the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Porter was buried alongside her grandmother and mom.
Prior to the funeral, Combs took to Twitter to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support.
“Today we lay to rest our ANGEL. Her spirit lives on with us FOREVER!!!,” he wrote. “We thank you all for your prayers and support. You have no idea how much it means to us. We thank GOD for all of you.”
Later that afternoon, he also took to Instagram to celebrate the woman he previously referred to as “more than best friends, more than soulmates.”
In the candid clip, praising Porter as “the truest definition of a MOTHER,” she is playing in the water with the twin daughters she shares with Combs—D’Lila Star and Jessie James, 11—as well as Combs’ daughter Chance from another relationship.
In a statement sent to the Associated Press on Friday, her family stated: “Although we’ve lost our best friend, God has gained a special angel and we know she is watching over us.
“God broke the mold when he made Kim, there was truly no other woman like her. Although her time here on earth was far too short, she lived a life full of purpose and meaning,” they said. “She was a loving mother and devoted friend. She was the epitome of kindness and grace. There wasn’t a person she met (whose) soul she did not touch. Kim was the type of woman who changed lives for the better. She will be forever remembered and missed by so many. As her family, we promise to honor her every day of our lives. We love you always.”