After a celebration of life ceremony attended by his son K.C. in Los Angeles, the late actor is remembered by his daughter Shannon and other loved ones at an emotional memorial service in New Jersey.
- November 27, 2024
AceShowbiz - A second memorial service has been held for John Amos amid ongoing family drama. The late actor was getting a grand sendoff from his family and famous friends during a service on Saturday, November 23 in East Orange, New Jersey.
At the service, John's daughter Shannon was seen among mourners, who included Grammy-winning artist Lauryn Hill, The Roots rapper Rahzel and basketball Hall of Famer Violet Palmer. R&B artist Monifah, gospel singer Karen Poole and platinum producer Tone "TL" Cross delivered performances.
John's former "Good Times" castmates, BernNaddette Stanis and Ralph Carter, were among the speakers. Actor A.J. Calloway hosted the emotional service.
Shannon tellz TMZ following the service, "The Mayor of East Orange gave my dad a proclamation and announced plans to name both East Orange High School's football field and a street in his honor."
Just two days before the memorial service, John's son and other loved ones remembered him at a separate celebration of life. Taking place at Leimert Park in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 21, the event was hosted by community advocate Najee Ali and led by Pastor Robert Sausedo.
Actor Rodney Allen Ripply gave a moving speech. "I ain't going to take up much time, but I just want to say, God bless John," he said as he got choked up. "I know he's in heaven. He was a good man. I remember him all the way back to his one-man show, Halley's Comet. I remember that, and I remember going to see him do his one-man act, and I was like, this man - what for like, an hour and a half - I said, 'Man, how much content does this guy have in his hand?' And I was like, 'Wow.' He was an actor of actors, and I stand on his shoulders because of people like him, who's amazing."
Following the event, Amos' son, K.C. thanked everyone who contributed to the gathering, saying he was happy to see everyone "uniting with me to celebrate my father's life." He said in a statement, "We're honoring my father, John Amos, in L.A. with those he loved and especially with the community that he cherished and cared about. I'm carrying out my father's wishes, and there are more details coming soon as to the real truth." He was seemingly referring to the ongoing drama with his sister Shannon.
Shannon and K.C. have been embroiled in a dispute the past year, with Shannon accusing her brother of elder abuse during John's care. After the actor died in August, Shannon claimed she was not immediately told about her father's passing and only learned about it through the media 45 days later like the rest of the world.