VALDOSTA — Though it was a brief encounter, interacting with legendary singer Aretha Franklin in New York was a special moment for Lakeland resident Theba Rose.

“It was just (in) passing; she had her hand out, and (I) just touched her hand,” Rose said. “It really wasn’t just speaking as she was going by just shaking everybody’s hand, and that was an experience.”

Franklin, 76, died Aug. 16 due to advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, news reports state.

“I was sad and just said, ‘Well, we’ve lost another icon,'” Rose said. “But I’m glad that she gave us 76 years. She didn’t go out like some of the others. Her death was a natural cause.”

Through her promotion company, T Rose Production, Rose will pay homage to the Queen of Soul Oct. 13 at the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority Center.

Dinner will be served 6:30 p.m., and a musical tribute will commence at 8 p.m. The event will be held in partnership with the Old School Social Club.

Tickets are $30, and funding will be utilized to donate Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets to needy families in Lakeland.

Minister Marva Henderson of Valdosta will perform gospel selections recorded by Franklin, and Macon-based Harold Thomas of Danger Zone Band will perform.

Georgia House of Representative candidate Barbara Seidman will be the guest speaker, Rose said. The dress code is all white.

Of Franklin’s famed work, Rose said “Natural Woman” was her favorite song. A performer will sing the selection during the ceremony.

It was Franklin’s willingness to relate her music to her own lifestyle that interested Rose.

“All of her songs pretty much related to her life, and she expressed that through songs; and, it was just the beat and dancing to the music that was fabulous,” she said.

Rose recalls visiting a record store in Nashville, Tenn., to purchase Franklin’s music.

“I was always inspired by her back in our day,” Rose said. “As a kid growing up, it was always Aretha Franklin, Aretha Franklin. … Pretty much grew up with her throughout all the years.”

As it connects to her personal life, Rose said she can relate to Franklin’s musical stories about various relationships, “Gotta Find Me An Angel.”

“That song I can really relate to in dealing with relationships; gotta find me an angel in my life,” she said.

Tickets can be purchased at Wayne Washington Salon, Looking Good Fashions, G.Q. Hi-Style Fashions and V-Town Gifts and More. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.