The legendary Etta James was laid to rest Saturday in a private ceremony attended by hundreds of family, friends and fans at the Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, Calif.

Rev. Al Sharpton opened his eulogy with a statement from President Barack Obama.

“Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation’s musical heritage,” Obama’s statement read. “I know she will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her.”

The Grammy Award-winning singer died Jan. 20 after battling leukemia. She also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C.

Sharpton described James as a genius for her ability to flip her pain and addiction into heartfelt melodies that would forever touch the world.

“She waited until she turned her pain into power,” he said, speaking of her tumultuous past.

Sharpton brought the crowd to their feet with his final words to the late singer: “You beat ‘em Etta. At last. At last. At last!”

The service was rounded out with remarks from U.S. Rep Maxine Waters and James’ sons, a performance by Stevie Wonder and a special dedication by one of James’ biggest fans, Christina Aguilera.

“Out of all the singers that I’ve ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me,” Aguilera said before her rendition of James’ “At Last.”