"I HATE YOU! You killed my daughter by turning her on to drugs…The day she married you was the worst day of my life!” In a stunning world exclusive, The ENQUIRER has learned Whitney Houston’s brokenhearted mother Cissy Houston hurled those angry words at Whitney’s ex-husband Bobby Brown on the day before her daughter’s Feb. 18 funeral.
And family insiders reveal behind-the-scene details of what TV viewers didn’t see when the 48-year-old superstar – who died on Feb. 11 at the Beverly Hilton hotel – was remembered in an emotional home-going service at the same church where she sang as a young girl.
One of the most touching tributes came from Whitney’s mother Cissy, who wrote in the funeral program: “I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years. Rest, my baby girl, in peace…Mommie.”
Just days earlier, a grief-stricken Cissy, Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina and her cousin Dionne Warwick chose a purple gown and spectacular jewelry for the singer to wear in her casket, said an insider.
“Cissy told me, ‘Out of the nearly 300 gowns in Whitney’s closet, that purple dress was one of her favorites. We thought it was what she should wear when she sings for God,’” a close source told The ENQUIRER.
“Bobbi Kristina picked out a pair of gold slippers for her mother’s feet. Cissy said, ‘She knew how much Whitney loved them.’
“They also chose $500,000 worth of jewelry, including a $200,000 pair of diamond earrings Whitney bought for herself to celebrate her success in the film ‘The Bodyguard.’
“The ladies also selected a beautiful diamond brooch and a gold and ruby cross necklace.”
Soon after that heartbreaking scene, Cissy blew up at Brown, triggering the headline-making drama at Whitney’s funeral. The spat began when Brown called to ask if he could attend the private, open-casket viewing of her body at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J., on Feb. 17, sources say.
“Cissy reluctantly agreed that Bobby could attend the funeral, but she flatly refused his request to come to the private viewing,” a close source told The ENQUIRER.
“She told Bobby, ‘It’s for family only. Whitney wouldn’t have wanted you there. None of us want you there.’ Then she added, ‘And if you come to the church, you should know you’re not welcome.’”
An angry Cissy, 78, was still haunted by her last phone call with Whitney. Just hours before she died, Whitney blasted Bobby for being a poor father to their 18-year-old daughter, according to the source.
“Cissy told Bobby, ‘Whitney went to her grave hating you! You promised to see your daughter in Los Angeles, but after two days of waiting, you never showed up!’” the source revealed.
“Cissy said, ‘You brought nothing but misery and pain to my daughter’s life. If it hadn’t been for you, she’d
be alive today. You as good as murdered Whitney…Marrying you was the biggest mistake of her life!’”
Despite his former mother-in-law’s warning, Brown showed up for Whitney’s funeral service at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church with nine people, including his three children from previous relationships, his fiancee and their 2-year-old son.
After security guards moved his group twice, Brown caused a ruckus before the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton – both Houston family friends – calmed him down.
“Bobby was furious,” said the source. “He walked up to Whitney’s coffin and kissed it dismissively. He tried to see his daughter, but security guards hustled him away.
“He returned to his group, angrily telling them: ‘C’mon, let’s get out of here. We’re not welcome. I loved Whitney, and I know she wouldn’t have wanted her man treated this way!’
“He told another friend, ‘I know they don’t want me here. They all hate me. The Houstons are the reason my marriage to Whitney broke up. It wasn’t all my fault …they just didn’t want it to succeed.’”
The day after the funeral service, Whitney’s mother, daughter and other relatives watched as she was laid to rest alongside her father John Houston in a private ceremony at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J.
“Before Whitney was lowered into the ground, Cissy kissed the casket one last time,” the source told The ENQUIRER.
“She later told a friend, ‘I will think of my daughter every day that remains of my life. I can’t wait to be reunited with her in heaven.’
‘
