MINNETONKA, Minn. - To most people, he was known as Prince. But to a select and private few, he was known as "Brother Prince."
Prince was a member of the local St. Louis Park congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. And this Sunday, a memorial service has been planned at the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall on Lake Street Ext. to celebrate his life.
Brother George Cook is an elder with the church and said Prince was last there on March 23 – the day Jehovah's Witnesses across the world commemorated the death of Jesus.
On Sunday, those who worshipped with Prince will say goodbye during a private funeral. Prince's family has been invited but declined to attend. They say the service was not organized by the family and Prince's ashes will not be present.
While the number of expected attendees has not been released, Minnetonka Police will help provide traffic control for the area, as the hall is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. The service is invite only.
Cook said Kingdom Hall seats 514 people -- hundreds are expected to attend.
He said the private service on Sunday will be like any other funeral for a member. Along with singing, an elder from the congregation will offer words of comfort based on scripture.
A member of the congregation said Jehovah's Witnesses from two other congregations will be bused in. The service was intended to be kept private but has now gone public.
The service is planned for Sunday at 5 p.m.
Tyka Nelson, Prince's sister, wrote a post on Facebook saying they're planning an August funeral for him.