Legend Little Richard Will Be Laid To Rest At His HBCU Alma Mater

Rock-n-Roll pioneer Little Richard’s private funeral will be held on Wednesday, according to Gerald Kibble, director of Oakwood Memorial Gardens. The pioneer will then be laid to rest at his alma mater Oakwood University, a historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama.

The pioneer of Rock-n-Roll died in Tennessee on Saturday from bone cancer, reports ABC News. He was 87-years-old.

According to his obituary, published by Gaudian, Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia, and was one of 12 children. He was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist.

Celebrities honored the legend through their social media accounts.

Actress Viola Davis posted on her Twitter, “The originator. The innovator. The musician, performer who influenced generations of artists…has left. You were AWESOME #LittleRichard!!!! Your talent will reverberate forever. Well done, sir. Rest Well.”