A private memorial service will be held for the late poet and author Maya Angelou June 7, as her family and friends are set to gather at Wake Forest University to remember her.

Maya Angelou Passes Away At 86

Angelou, who died May 28 at age 86, was the Reynolds Professor of American Studies at the University from 1982 until her death last week.

Several big names and faces are scheduled to attend the service, with Oprah Winfrey, First Lady Michelle Obama and singer Leanne Womack all scheduled to speak.

Remembering Maya Angelou Through Her Most Famous Quotes

Womack will be there to perform her song, I Hope You Dance, Angelou's favorite, at the request of the family, while Winfrey and Obama will both say a few words.

"I was honored, moved and thrilled about everything she said to me about the song and my singing," Womack told Rolling Stone June 4. "But all these years later, the song remained? That says so much about the power of music and poetry: the way the human condition can be filtered down in a song. Keeping it real and honest, but also maintaining the love in your heart and compassion...That makes for an excellent life, and that's what I think Maya Angelou found in this song.

"Maya Angelou is one of the true modern American voices in literature," she added. "Her books have touched so many, and the fact that my song touched her...well, you can't say 'no.' I couldn't imagine not singing it for her, especially on Saturday."

Winfrey confirmed that she would be speaking at the memorial during an appearance on Entertainment Tonight June 2.

"I don't know what I'm going to say, but it will just come," she told Nancy O'Dell. "Am I going to get through it without tearing up? Maybe not, but will I get through it? Yeah, for sure."

While the service is going to be private, fans of Angelou's work will be able to watch via various livestreams online.


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Maya Angelou