Coming out to show their support and sorrow for the slaying of Jennifer Hudson’s family, both friends and family attended a public memorial service in Chicago over the weekend. Hundreds of city residents paid their respects on Sunday night (November 2) to Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason Hudson, and seven year-old nephew, Julian King, at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. King’s second grade teacher, Carmen Williams, spoke on the child’s encompassing characteristics.

“Julian was a role model, a scholar in school and a best friend,” Williams told the crowd. “You could look into his eyes and you knew he always had the right answer.” Attempting to place closure on their untimely deaths, relative Reverend Quentin Washington reportedly eased the crowd with his touch words.

“They are all in Heaven having a ‘hallelujah good time,” he said. “Their lives…were not in vain. Their legacies live on.” A private service is currently planned to take place today for the three Hudson family members. The event is taking place at Apostolic Church of God. Jennifer Hudson has decided not to participate in either service. The R&B singer lost her family members late last month (October 24) after they were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds in Donerson’s Chicago home.