Taking a respite from honoring the past year's prime African-American entertainers, the forty third NAACP Image Awards followed suit with previous awards shows in holding a tribute for recently departed icon Whitney Houston throughout Friday night's (February 17) ceremony.

With the annual event happening at the Shrine Auditorium in l. a. , Gospel nice Yolanda Adams took the stage alongside a gospel choir whereas celebrating the lifetime of the "I can perpetually Love You" singer.

Previously speaking with press concerning learning of Miss Houston's tragic death, Miss Adams recalled, "My initial reaction once I heard she passed was, 'Can't be’."

Receiving the saddening news from Whitney's long-time music director, Yolanda then told, "He said, 'she's gone,' and though I had heard it on the news, there was finality to listen to it from somebody who loved her like I do."

"She was somebody I may say was a devotee, was extremely genuinely a baby of God, extremely genuinely a decent one who loved life. we actually are losing a light-weight. Despite all the dark stuff folks can say, we're losing an angel as a result of she extremely was. i believe what happens with folks is that they wish to be loved," Adams added.





Enjoy the pictures of Yolanda Adams at the 43rd NAACP Awards (February 17).

Photo Credit: Getty Images