LISTEN: Oprah, Alicia Keys, others join Maya Angelou in "I Rise"

"The menu was selected, as always, by Ms. Winfrey," Smith said in an interview then.   "As you know in the South we celebrate births, and we celebrate deaths, and it's always with food. Food is a common thread and in the South, it's a part of our soul."

Preparing the meal for Angelou's memorial years later, Smith said, was "the most solemn event I've done in my career. She was one amazing women who gave so much to the world. Her past became her words. She will live on forever, but I will miss her beautiful smile and that special voice as she so eloquently pronounced her words."