Surrounded by family and friends, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business was laid to rest Saturday during a quiet ceremony at his daughter's home.

"It was almost vintage James Brown," the Rev. Al Sharpton, who presided over the service, told The Augusta Chronicle by phone afterward.

Unlike the public ceremony held Dec. 30 with its celebrities and live musical numbers, Saturday's private service at Deanna Brown Thomas' Beech Island home was somber and subdued.

There was a reading, a prayer and a song performed by Mr. Brown's cousin, the Rev. Sharpton said. And at the end, one of Mr. Brown's songs - Georgialina - was played.

"We all cried, and I broke down at one point," said the longtime friend of the soul singer. He called the service "intimate" and "classy, yet refined."

The Rev. Sharpton said the message he delivered in the private service was that Mr. Brown couldn't rest in peace until everyone took the genius he invested in them and came together.

He said he was proud the Godfather of Soul's family could come together, despite the legal challenges to the late singer's estate. Among those attending the service were Mr. Brown's widow, Tomi Rae Hynie Brown, and their son James.

"It was a beautiful service," she said. "It was nice to see the family all there for James."

She recalled their wedding in which Mr. Brown turned to the family and said he hoped the marriage would not only bring the two of them together, but also the family.

For the first time since her husband's Dec. 25 death, Mrs. Brown said she and their son felt accepted by the family.

At one point in the service, everyone released white balloons representing Mr. Brown's spirit.

"We stood and watched until we couldn't see them any more," Mrs. Brown said.

Although there had been reports of Saturday's service Friday, it came as a bit of a surprise to Charlie Reid of C.A. Reid Sr. Memorial Funeral Home, who has been caring for Mr. Brown's body.

"I had to leave one of my services just to be present," he said afterward, adding that he received less than two hours' notice to be there.

The service was small and lasted no more than 20 minutes, he said.

The service preceded the placing of the body in a crypt. Once the legal proceedings surrounding Mr. Brown's estate have been settled, there are plans for a public mausoleum, the Rev. Sharpton said.

It will be "Graceland, James Brown style," he said, referring to the home of Elvis Presley, which has become a museum and tourist attraction.

Mrs. Brown wants the same thing, hoping that the mausoleum will be erected at the couple's Beech Island estate, so that the world can view his home.

"That's why we built this property," she said.

The mausoleum and house museum will preserve the soul singer's legacy and carry on his message, showcasing some of his artifacts and belongings, the Rev. Sharpton said.

"He is clearly the most dominant force in my life," he said, adding that Mr. Brown would want to continue to inspire the world.

The Rev. Sharpton will speak about Mr. Brown's inspiration during Monday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York.

Mrs. Brown said she looks forward to coming back to the Augusta area and to a time when the family comes together as it did Saturday.

"I look forward to picking up where James left off," she said.

That includes carrying on the Godfather's traditions of giving away turkeys for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas, she said.

Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851, or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.