Category: Passings

GMF acknowledges the passing of Willis Pittman, 83, renowned frontman of Willis Pittman & The Burden Lifters. The gospel singer died January 26, 2025, at his residence in Lillington, NC.

Willis Pittman & The Burden Lifters moved audiences with their compelling storytelling and spirited performances, recording multiple albums across various labels, including A.I.R. Records and Melendo. Their 1997 album, Live In Rocky Mount, N.C., recorded at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, was the group’s first live video recording.

Pittman began with the Burden Lifters as a background singer. However, his songwriting and vocal talent eventually propelled him to the role of lead singer. He, his brother Norris, and Melvin Wilson often shared lead vocal duties, each bringing their distinct style to standout songs like “Thunder,” “Noah,” “Put It All in God’s Hand,” “Mama,” “Ask God in Faith,” and “Farewell Goodbye.”

A Celebration of Life service took place in Erwin, NC, on February 2nd.

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

Ponzell Torain, a longtime member of the Torain Family Singers, passed away December 26, 2024, in Roxboro, NC. He was 68.

Since 1968, the Torain Family has spread the gospel in song in and around northern Piedmont North Carolina and South-Central Virginia. With every song and testimony, their music has carried the weight of tradition while making space for new generations of family.

Ponzell joined his family’s singing group several years after it was formed by his sister Frances and brother Thomas. Surrounded by music, he was inspired to follow in his older brother’s footsteps as a guitarist. Ponzell recounted his aspirations in the 2023 feature-length documentary Gospel In Person, directed by Michael Gentry in partnership with the Person County Arts Council. The film chronicles more than 80 years of Black gospel music history in Person County, located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region near the Virginia border.

Recalling his ingenuity and determination in those early days, Ponzell shared, “My first guitar was a stick with some burned tire strings on it. I burned a tire and put the strings on the stick.” That homemade guitar proved to be just the beginning. Ponzell went on to become a skilled guitarist and expanded his talents to drums, bass guitar, and keyboard, making himself an essential part of the group’s evolving sound.

As the years progressed, the Torain Family continued to evolve while staying true to their churchy gospel beginnings. In 2017, they released “The Train,” a spirited single that paid tribute to Ponzell’s sister Frances, who passed the previous year. In 2022, the group followed up with “Over There.” Both releases honored their roots while showcasing new arrangements.

Though deeply committed to his family’s music ministry, Ponzell’s reach extended beyond singing and playing with the Torain Family. He was also a longtime member of the St. Luke Gospel Singers, a quartet-styled group his brother Thomas co-founded a year prior to helping form the Torain Family as a singing aggregation. After some membership changes, the group renamed itself the New St. Luke Gospel Singers, of which Ponzell remained a part. “I’ve been singing with so many groups—I just about can’t keep up with them, but I know some of them,” he said in the Gospel In Person documentary.

Whether in humble church sanctuaries or on large concert stages, Ponzell’s singing, homespun approach to music, and praise dancing filled every space with joy and conviction. Equally meaningful was his contribution to a family musical legacy that now includes its fourth generation and is still going strong.

A funeral service will take place Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 2 P.M. at Christian Apostolic Holiness Church in Semora, NC.

A private, invitation-only memorial service was recently held at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church for gospel great Cissy Houston who passed October 7, at the age of 91. She was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Her powerful voice and soulful performances left indelible impressions on the music industry and were passed down to her children, particularly her iconic daughter, Whitney.

Jonathan Landrum, Jr. and Hillel Italie shared more about Cissy’s life and career in their detailed report for The Associated Press. CBS News New York reported highlights from the two-time Grammy-winning artist’s memorial service on October 17th.

With her father Nicholas Drinkard’s encouragement, Emily “Cissy” Drinkard and her siblings began singing as the Drinkard Four. As others were added to the group, the aggregation became the Drinkard Singers. The Drinkard Singers went on to record a live album titled Joyful Noise, which was followed by Cissy’s 1963 solo record This Is My Vow (released under the name Cecily Blair). By year’s end, Cissy had formed The Sweet Inspirations, a lineup that included her nieces Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick as well as Doris Troy. Both Cissy and The Sweet Inspirations recorded projects over the next decade and sang backup for top artists of the day, including Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, and Elvis Presley. In 1970, Cissy parted ways with the group to devote more time to her family and a solo career. While the tangible rewards for her artistry may be the Grammys she won in the category of Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for Face to Face and He Leadeth Me in 1997 and 1999, respectively, many contend that her greatest contribution to music was her daughter Whitney. In Whitney’s own words:

My mother taught me how to sing. I had the singing in me, but she taught me how. And she taught me through gospel. And she told me that if I could sing gospel, I could sing anything that I wanted to—because everything is rooted from that music...

GMF acknowledges the passing of Gregory Kelly, Sr., gospel singer formerly of Slim and The Supreme Angels. Kelly passed September 4, after a period of health challenges.

A musical tribute and homegoing service took place September 13th and 14th, respectively. Both services were held at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Oxford, NC. 

In addition to his tenure with Slim and The Supreme Angels, Kelly fronted his own group, Greg Kelly and Foundation. 

The GMF community continues to send up prayers for Kelly’s family, friends, and supporters.

(Chicago, IL) Jerrold Norwood, a founding member of the platinum-selling Chicago-based gospel music ensemble Shekinah Glory Ministry, passed away of cancer complications on August 4, 2024.

“The members of Shekinah Glory Ministry aren’t just fellow worshippers or fellow singers or fellow musicians, we are family,” was a statement posted on Shekinah Glory Ministry’s Facebook page. “We regretfully announce the passing of one of our original members, Jerrold Paine Norwood. Jerrold was a giant of a worshipper, a threat to the devil, a warrior to those who were unhoused and downtrodden. A devout family man and our dear brother.”

The ebullient Jerrold Paine Norwood was born January 3, 1964, in Chicago, IL. He grew up in the area and was a founding member of Shekinah Glory Ministry when it first organized circa 1999. The ensemble has earned five R.I.A.A.-certified gold and platinum recordings for hit recordings such as “Praise Is What I Do,” “Yes,” and “Before the Throne.” He led the song “Higher” from the group’s 2007 live album. 

Norwood was a community-minded fellow who enthusiastically evangelized, passed out turkeys for the needy during Thanksgiving, and gave toys to kids for Christmas. He was the Director of Housekeeping at Niles Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. For the last eight years, he has battled cancer. It went into remission and later returned.

Norwood’s celebration of life takes place Friday, August 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Valley Kingdom Ministries International location at 5300 151st Street, Oak Forest, IL. Norwood lived in Dolton, IL and is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, Candace Marie Norwood, and their four children: Jalen, Jamel, Linnea, and Shayna.        

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The gospel music community is mourning the passing of Bishop Michael A. Brooks, who died on July 16, 2024, at age 62. The nature of his illness and cause of death were not disclosed.

Bishop Brooks was a founding member of Commissioned in 1982 alongside Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Keith Staten, Karl Reid, and Michael Williams. He was known for his multifaceted talents as a songwriter, musician (keyboard/piano/organ), and producer who helped craft Commissioned’s signature sound.

In 1986, Brooks founded the all-female contemporary gospel group Witness, of which his future wife Lisa Page was an original member. (Many years later, the lineup would include their daughter and future Sunday Best winner, Tasha Page.) Witness became known for their powerful vocals and impactful songs under Brooks’s songwriting and production, further solidifying his legacy in the gospel music industry. He went on to produce and write for his wife’s solo projects and is credited for his work with a number of other artists as well, including Lexi, Young Artist for Christ Workshop, The Nation, and his own Michael Brooks & Royal Priesthood.

Left to right: Debut albums by Commissioned (I’m Going On), Witness (Keep Looking Up), and Lisa Page (More Than You’ll Ever Know).

In addition to musical endeavors, Bishop Brooks and Lisa pastored Restoration Fellowship Church International in Redford, MI, a ministry he founded.

GMF extends its deepest condolences to Brooks’ wife of 27 years, Pastor Lisa Page Brooks; their children Tasha, LaTia, Sateara, Justin, Jessica, and the entire family; Restoration Fellowship Church International; and all who were touched by his music and ministry.

A tribute concert is set to take place Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m. The homegoing service is Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m. Both services will be held at Christian Tabernacle in Southfield.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article inadvertently omitted Bishop Brooks’ daughter Jessica. GMF apologizes for the oversight. Thanks to Shelia Jones for making us aware.

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The church and gospel music community mourn the sudden passing of Bishop Kervy Brown, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, July 7, at age 65. He collapsed during a service at Greater Deliverance Temple in Danville, VA, where he was celebrating 15 years as the church’s pastor.

Bishop Brown was renowned for his contributions to gospel music. His earliest professional recording as a featured soloist dates back to 1988 on Rev. Charles Nicks Presents the Baptist Assembly of Free Spirit Churches Mass Choir, Volume 2, with the song “Victory.” Over the years, he recorded several solo projects. His latest solo single “My Turn Around,” was released in September 2023. He also guest appeared on recordings with GMWA, Youthful Praise, the late Rev. Timothy Wright, and most recently, Brian Spriggs & Nu Worship. Spriggs’ album, The Art of Choir Music, was released Friday, July 5, featuring the beloved preacher and singer on the track “I’ll Make It.”

Brown’s most well-known musical partnership was alongside his longtime close friend, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship. Brown was the featured vocalist on many of the Love Fellowship choir projects, leading such favorites as “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow,” “Make It to That City,” “Never Leave Me Alone,” “I Will Fight,” and “Lord Do It.”

In 2018, Brown was elevated to the office of bishop. At the time of his passing, he served on the executive council of the Covenant Keepers International Alliance (CKIA), presided over by Bishop Walker. In a heartfelt statement released Sunday night, Walker described Brown as a “beloved friend and brother… [who] … has walked with me for over 40 years doing the Lord’s work in the United States and around the world.”

GMF extends its deepest condolences to Bishop Brown’s immediate and extended family, Greater Deliverance Temple, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Love Fellowship, CKIA, and the entire gospel community. In tribute, a segment of this past Monday’s Gospel Music Fever Radio Show on KWAY-db Gospel Station was dedicated to his memory.

Events to Honor Bishop Brown’s Life

Several celebrations honoring Bishop Brown’s life have been announced.

The victory celebration and public viewing is set for Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m., at Bibleway Cathedral, 215 Grant St. in Danville.

The national celebration and official homegoing service takes place Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m., also at Bibleway Cathedral.

An additional national celebration, “The Praise Finale,” is being held Sunday, July 28, at 6 p.m., at Pilgrim Renaissance Center in Brooklyn, NY.

More event details are on the revised flyer below.

On Monday, July 22, Elder Timothy Womack of Greater Deliverance Temple shared via social media, “Please denote change of venue for Friday evening service. At 7pm, the service will be held at Bibleway. Please remember the viewing from 3pm-5pm is for the members of GDT only along with the invited guest[s] of the Brown family (no exceptions!!!). Everyone is welcome to Bibleway at 7pm!!!!!!”

This article was last updated on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 7:45 p.m.