Dionne Rose & Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writers
Jamaica's
Cultural Ambas-sador Louise Bennett-Coverley is to be accorded an official funeral
at the Coke Methodist Church in Kingston at 2 o'clock next week Wednesday.
Information Minister, Senator Colin Campbell, made the disclosure at the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill, will lead a Government delegation to Toronto, Canada, to attend a memorial service on Thursday.
The delegation will comprise State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, and Opposition Member of Parliament, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.
Viewing
The memorial service will be held at the Revivaltime Tabernacle Church in Toronto at 11:00 a.m. Viewing of the body takes place tomorrow at Highland Funeral Home, Toronto.
Minister Campbell said that Mr. Pickersgill would remain behind to accompany the body of Miss Lou and the remains of her husband, Eric Coverley back home on Saturday. The Information Minister said that Miss Lou's body would lie in state at the National Arena on August 7 and 8.
"At the end of the lie-in state on the 8th, there will be an act of celebration and thanksgiving highlighting tributes and per-formances by various Jamaican groups, as well as other per-formances. I believe also that there will be opportunity for tributes to be paid by those who will not have an opportunity at the funeral service," he said.
Meanwhile, he said her husband's remains would be re-interred between Sunday and Tuesday at the National Heroes Park where Miss Lou would also be buried.
Tributes
Outlining some aspects of the funeral arrangements, Sen. Campbell said tributes would be delivered by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Leader of the Opposition, Bruce Golding, and the eulogy will be presented by Professor Rex Nettleford.
Sen. Campbell said it is expected that the funeral service should last for two hours and 15 minutes.
Miss Lou died at the Scarborough Grace Hospital in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday, July 26. She was 86.
Famous for her radio shows, including Laugh with Louise, Miss Lou's Views and The Lou and Ranny Show with Ranny Williams, she was also celebrated for her 1970s children's television show Ring Ding.
Miss Lou also had approximately five publications and 11 records. She also had countless books written about her work and contribution.
