Heartbreaking R&B singer, Gerald Levert, mourned after heart attack death

Gerald Levert, the heartbreaking R&B singer, one of several from the musical Levert family, died unexpectedly Nov. 10 at his home in Newbury, Ohio, outside Cleveland, of a heart attack.

“When I came here, I expected to mourn,” Usher told thousands of fans who filled most of Public Hall for Friday’s three-hour memorial service for Gerald Levert, who died Nov. 10. Instead, he said: “I actually cried tears of joy.”

Stevie Wonder, Levert’s father, Eddie Levert of the O’Jays, and Levert’s music collaborator and brother, Sean Levert, led the audience.

“You all really don’t know how big his heart was,” said Eddie Levert.

He joined Sean for the heart-tugging highlight, singing “Dance With My Father” with father and brother personalizing the words for Gerald.

Celebrities at the service included Usher, rapper-producer Jermaine Dupri, singer Angela Winbush, journalist Ed Gordon, and the main eulogist, Judge Greg Mathis.

Gerald Levert, the heartbreaking R&B singer, one of several from the musical Levert family, died unexpectedly Nov. 10 at his home in Newbury, Ohio, outside Cleveland, of a heart attack. Sister 2 Sister magazine reported that Gerald and his father had just returned from a 10-day trip to South Africa where they had met with Nelson Mandela.