R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Fans pay their last to Aretha Franklin

The body of the late singer Aretha Franklin lies in state at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 28, 2018. Paul Sancya/ Pool via REUTERS

DETROIT (Reuters) - Aretha Franklin's body lay in repose on Tuesday while her soaring voice poured out from loudspeakers outside a Detroit museum, stirring fans to sway and sing along and others to weep as they lined up for a last glimpse of the Queen of Soul.

Franklin died last week at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer in Detroit, where she began her career as a child singing gospel in the New Bethel Baptist Church choir.

A woman stands by a makeshift memorial outside the New Bethel Baptist Church during a gospel tribute concert for the late singer Aretha Franklin in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Her powerful voice, seared with emotion, would become the daunting standard for other singers to match, but fans described a legacy beyond her most famous recordings.

"Aretha made a lot of women look at themselves differently and changed how a lot of men looked at women," Alma Riley, 67, said after waiting in line outside the visitation at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for nearly three hours. "That is particularly important today when we see such a lack of respect."

Franklin's body was displayed in an open, gold-plated casket that glowed beneath the grand rotunda's glass dome ceiling. There were clouds of pink flowers. Her sequined dress, pointed heels, lipstick and earrings were all a matching ruby red. The museum had erected a banner: "Forever Our Queen."

Reverend Jesse Jackson talks to the media outside the Charles H. Wright African American Museum where the late singer Aretha Franklin will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

"She was a symbol for us," Ann Fortson, 63, said after emerging from the rotunda. The retired teacher had driven seven hours from Charleston, West Virginia, with two friends the previous day. "There was no way we'd miss paying our respects."

The preacher's daughter first topped the charts in 1967 with "Respect," her no-nonsense reworking of a modest hit for Otis Redding into an enduring anthem for feminism and the civil rights movement.

Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Ronald Isley and Stevie Wonder, among others, are due to sing at her funeral on Friday at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who had Franklin sing at his 1993 inauguration celebrations, will be among the speakers.

Members of the public walk in line outside the Charles H. Wright African American Museum where the late singer Aretha Franklin will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

For some of those coping with grief at Tuesday's visitation, Franklin's songs, booming out of loudspeakers, were the cure: "Rock steady, baby," sang the familiar voice. "Just move your hips with a feeling from side to side." Some in the crowd could not help themselves but do just that.

(Reporting by Nick Carey in Detroit and Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Dan Grebler)

Stuart Popp parks his 1956 pink Cadillac in front of the Charles H. Wright African American Museum where the late singer Aretha Franklin will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

June Burnette holds an album by singer Aretha Franklin as she waits in line for Franklin's viewing at the Charles H. Wright African American Museum in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

A woman carries a card with an image of Aretha Franklin into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History where the late singer will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A woman carries a poster into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History where the late singer Aretha Franklin will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A woman carries a newspaper with an image of Aretha Franklin into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History where the late singer will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A mural in tribute to late singer Aretha Franklin is seen on a building in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

People dance and sing during a gospel tribute to the late singer Aretha Franklin at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A woman leaves a message at a makeshift memorial outside the New Bethel Baptist Church before a gospel tribute concert to late singer Aretha Franklin at in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., August 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar