Category: Passings

Vanessa Bell Armstrong mourns passing of son

Please join GMF in extending condolences to Vanessa Bell Armstrong in the passing of her son Terrance.  The gospel singer tweeted the news of her son’s passing Thursday, December 4, via Twitter.

Early Friday morning, she shared this tweet with her followers:

Our prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.

Julia Mae Price-Williams of the Davis Sisters, Caravans, succumbs

Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF that Julia Mae Price -Williams, formerly of the Davis Sisters and the Caravans, passed away.  GMF extends condolences to her family and friends.

Price-Williams started singing at age three.  It’s a talent that ran in her family–her father, Rev. Julian Price (who was a pastor in Augusta, GA), and several aunts also sang. As a teenager, she was a member of the Vashti Singers. In the 1960s, she joined the Davis Sisters of Philadelphia before becoming a member of the Caravans in 1966. In 1983, she released her first solo album, which earned “Artist of the Year” and “Traditional Singer of the Year” nominations from the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Joseph Middleton of the Golden Era Gospel Blog interviewed Price-Williams in 2009, during which she spoke about her career as well as present-day gospel music: The Golden Era Gospel Blog Interviews a Gospel Legend: Ms. Julia Mae Price-Williams.

Rev. Jonas Brown, former WNCU radio host, dies

From The Herald-Sun
From The Herald-Sun (10/31/14):
DURHAM – Reverend Jonas Buster Brown passed on October 27, 2014 in Durham, NC.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Rosa Hannah Brown; four
sons, Christopher Brown (Monica V. Martin), Jimmy Hannah (Tomeka
Copeage), Jonas R. Hannah, Jr. (Linda Yvette Cox), Richard Lamont Brown;
three brothers, Willie Boston, Jr. (Patricia), Erol Boston and Wayne
Boston.
 
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Lakeview
Baptist Church, 3411 Dearborn Drive, Durham, NC, beginning at 1 p.m. A
visitation with family and friends will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Arrangements are entrusted to Scarborough and Hargett Memorial Chapel
and Gardens, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed at
Scarboroughandhargettfh.com.
Brown was the former host of the Sunday morning radio show “Gospel Connections” on North Carolina Central University’s WNCU 90.7 FM.

Charles Johnson of the Nightingales, Revivers passes on

Charles JohnsonGMF is sad to share news of the passing of singer/musician/songwriter Charles Johnson, formerly of the Sensational Nightingales and Charles Johnson & The Revivers. Johnson passed this morning (Monday, October 6). He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife and six children.

During my childhood, I regularly attended concerts featuring the Sensational Nightingales. Johnson was indeed one of the most unique and earnest voices in gospel quartet music.

Read more by Barbara Huffman and see homegoing arrangements at www.singingnews.com.

The “Gospel Memories” Radio Show with host Bob Marovich will feature an extended set of Johnson’s recordings this Saturday (October 11).  The show airs at 10 am central time and can be streamed live at www.gospelmemories.com.

Melvin, Doug Williams & family mourn passing of matriarch, Amanda Williams

Join GMF in extending condolences to the Williams family in the passing of their matriarch, Amanda “Mom” Williams.  She was 94 years old.

A guiding force in the lives of her ten children, she and her husband Leon “Pop” Williams (d. 1989) nurtured their musical talents at southern Mississippi’s Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Sons Huey and Frank became members of The Jackson Southernaires. Frank eventually organized the Mississippi Mass Choir.  Leonard, Melvin, and Doug (along with family friend Henry Green) comprised The Williams Brothers.  Some of the other children entered the music field on the business side.

While there is sadness over “Mom” Williams’ transition, there most certainly must also be rejoicing over her blessed life and rich legacy.

Photo from Facebook profile of Linder Banks Williams

Alex Hobbs, son of Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, dies just weeks after father

Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music reports the unexpected passing Alex Hobbs (left), whose tragic death comes barely one month after the passing of his father, music industry veteran Al “The Bishop” Hobbs.

Alex, an active duty serviceman, was present with his siblings at their father’s tribute services about two weeks ago and could be seen riding along on the horse and carriage that escorted their father to be interred.

GMF extends condolences to the family during this shocking and difficult time. Read more at JGM.

Dr. Bobby Jones mourns passing of sister Lula Puckett

GMF sends condolences to Dr. Bobby Jones and family in the passing of his elder sister, Lula Puckett, who died Sunday, August 10, 2014, in Paris, TN. She was 79.
Services are scheduled for Thursday, August 14, at Allen Temple CME Church, 213 Warren Street, Paris, TN.  The funeral begins at noon with viewing for two hours prior. 
Rawls Funeral Home is handling arrangements.  You may share condolences there or by email to [email protected].

Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, National GAG Chair of GMWA, dies [Arrangements]

Al “The Bishop” Hobbs, Chairman of the National Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., died today.  He battled cancer in recent years, and just this week, he was saluted during a tribute program at the 47th annual GMWA convention festivities.

Having seen and heard Al from a distance down through the years, I finally met him two years ago at GMWA.  Talking with him was like chatting with a longtime friend.  He will be sorely missed across the gospel music industry.

Read more by Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music here: Gospel Community Mourns Loss of Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Condolences can be sent to the Hobbs Residence, 9009 Shetland Court, Indianapolis, IN 46278.  Arrangements are as follows:

Friday, August 15, 2014
Viewing
3 – 6 PM
Prelude
6 – 7 PM
Musical 
7 – 11 PM

Saturday, August 16, 2014
Viewing
8 – 10 AM
Service
10 AM

All services will take place at Christ Church Apostolic, 6601 Grandview Drive, Indianapolis, IN, and will also be streamed live here.

R.I.P. Phyllis Brown of the Brown Sisters [Arrangements]

From Facebook

GMF is sorry to learn of the passing of Phyllis Brown (far left) of the Brown Sisters from Chicago.  


Latrea Morrow of examiner.com reports more here: Chicago gospel community mourns the loss of The Brown Sisters’ beloved Phyllis

Arrangements are as follows, according to the The Brown Sisters’ Facebook page (8/5/14):

Friday, August 8, 2014
Wake
4 – 8 PM
Gatling’s Funeral Home
10130 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60628

Saturday, August 9, 2014
Wake/Musical
10 -11AM
Funeral 
11 – 1 PM
Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church
1309 Madison St.
Maywood, IL

Please send condolences to Pastor Ben and Alberta Brown, 32 N. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624.

Bishop Harold I. Williams, Patriarch of MCHCA, husband of Shirley Caesar, dies at 93

 
From the MCHCA site

Bishop Harold Ivory Williams, Sr., former Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop Emeritus of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America (MCHCA), Inc., passed today (July 4).  He was 93 years old. 

According to the MCHCA site, Bishop Williams led MCHCA for more than 37 years as Senior Bishop, succeeding the organization’s founder Bishop Brumfield Johnson, before choosing to take emeritus status in 2008. Simultaneous to his leadership of the parent organization, he pastored Winston-Salem’s Mount Calvary Holy Church, Washington, DC’s Mount Calvary Holy Church, and founded a church in Baltimore, according to his bio.  At the time of his demise, he and his wife of 31 years, Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams, were co-pastors of Raleigh’s Mount Calvary Word of Faith.

Along with pastoring, Bishop Williams was an accomplished pianist and songwriter, guesting on his wife’s projects Sailin’ (vocals on “Time to Come Back Home”), Stand Still (spoken word on “Step Out”) and Shirley Caesar Live …He Will Come (piano on his composition “Our Father”).

In addition to Pastor Caesar, Bishop Williams is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elder Hope and Prophet Marc Mason, grandchildren, and a host of additional relatives, friends, and spiritual sons and daughters.  His son, acclaimed jazz pianist Harold I. Williams, Jr. preceded him in death. 

With bittersweetness, GMF bids Bishop Williams adieu and extends heartfelt condolences to Pastor Caesar-Williams and family.

Update (7/6/14 at 2:07 am) – Elder Hope Mason has shared homegoing information for her father, Bishop Williams. She notes via Facebook that “the Friday night service is a musical memorial and his remains will be available for viewing from 12:00-6:00 pm Friday afternoon, but not at the service.” 

Update (7/9/14 at 7:30 am) – Elder Hope Mason has provided updated homegoing information for Bishop Williams. The latest information includes lodging accommodations (click image below to enlarge).