GR musician spoke with Houston Thursday

LOS ANGELES (WOOD) - The loss of Whitney Houston sent shock waves through the music world -- and the ripple effects have already spread to West Michigan.

Musician and Grand Rapids native El DeBarge saw Houston just two days before her death. The two had been friends for more than two decades -- both having had considerable success in the 1980s.

Etterlene DeBarge -- or Mama D, as some call her -- said her son and Houston shared an embrace when they saw each other on the Thursday before her death. 

"You could see that she saw him, that was like a joy that came over her," said Mama D. "It was like they were meant to be there at that moment."

In the moments after, Mama D said Houston asked her son for help. Both Houston and El DeBarge had a history of addiction.

"And she was crying out, 'Help me, help me,'" said Mrs. DeBarge. "So I can't tell you what she meant, because I wasn't there."

Mrs. DeBarge said the two had similar religious upbringings. Mama D said she thinks Houston respected El DeBarge's spirituality.

"But it's sticking in his mind; 'Why would she ask me that? Why would she ask me to help her?'" Mama D said. "He wants a lot of answers, because there's a lot of questions going on in his mind about why did she choose me."

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Online:

TMZ's video of El Debarge and Whitney Houston's hug.