Category: Passings

VA area recording artist and pastor Ray Jackson passes on

GMF has learned by way of Pastor Jermaine Parker that Bishop Ray Jackson of Danville, VA passed today after a period of illness.  Bishop Jackson was well known throughout the NC/VA area as a singer, songwriter, promoter, musician, radio personality, and pastor.  He was 66 years old.

For more than 40 years, Jackson traveled with his family group, The Jackson Brothers Quartet, as well as performed as a solo artist and keyboardist.  His most recent project Some Day was released last year on Nu Vision Records.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bishop Jackson’s family, friends, and many supporters.

Homegoing
Saturday, August 31, 2013
1 PM
Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home Chapel
707 Wilson St.
Danville, VA 24541

Gospel artists react to the death of keyboard great George Duke

Multi-talented singer, composer, and musician George Duke has died.  According to media reports, he passed yesterday at the age of 67. 

While Duke was widely known as a jazz virtuoso, his music-making extended across many genres with gospel being no exception.  Among his credits are The Keynotes’ Get on That Gospel Train (sideman), Various Artists’ Handel’s
Messiah-A Soulful Celebration (producer), Kenny Lattimore’s “Healing” (co-writer and co-producer), and Smokie Norful’s Nothing Without You (producer).  Duke is also credited with arranging and producing all the gospel songs for the 1990’s dramedy film Leap of Faith and serving as the music director for BET’s 3rd Celebration of Gospel.

Earlier today, John P. Kee shared via Twitter, “Just finished a great session to find out my personal friend, ‘TheDuke’
is gone on to be with The Lord! Honored to have worked with him! RIP”
“George Duke opened my ears to the possibility that jazz
music could be cool, melodic, & produced like R&B. Will miss
him. We lost a legend,” tweeted pastor and musician Hart Ramsey.
J Moss took to Twitterverse to share a musical tribute that he says is “laced with George Duke.”
Remembrances will most certainly continue to pour in as news of his passing circulates.

Duke is survived by sons Rasheed and John as well as other family and friends.  His wife Corine preceded him in death just over a year ago; he paid tribute to her on his latest project, Dream Weaver, released last month.

GMF sends to condolences to the family, friends and fans.  George Duke will be remembered as a trendsetter in American music.

Read more about his passing and accomplished career here: www.jazzwisemagazine.com

Kim Burrell mourns passing of brother, Julius Lynn Burrell

GMF extends condolences to and prayers for Kim Burrell and family in the passing of her older brother Julius Lynn Burrell today.  Burrell shared the news earlier today via social media.

Update (8/11/13): Funeral services were held August 8, at Love & Liberty Fellowship Church, where Kim Burrell is pastor.

Producer, radio/TV host Bobby Hurd has died

GMF was sad to learn of the passing of music industry veteran Bobby Hurd yesterday.  We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and entire gospel community.  Read more about the producer and TV/radio host here: One of Atlanta’s own Bobby Hurd has passed.

Eddie Atkins, Jr., father of duo Mary Mary, passes

Eddie Atkins, Jr., father of Tina and Erica Campbell, has died.  GMF extends sympathy to his wife, children, other family members and friends.

Read more here: Mary Mary Duo Mourns Loss of Father to Cancer, Thanks Fans for Prayers

R.I.P. Bobby “Blue” Bland

Bobby “Blue” Bland is one of countless blues singers who started in gospel. He passed this evening at the age of 83.

According to his bio on the Malaco Records site, it was while singing with the gospel group The Miniatures after moving to Memphis in 1947 that he acquired his signature blues snort.  He’s said to have learned it by watching Rev. C.L. Franklin’s sermons.

See the announcement here: Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland dies

Mickey Martin of the Brooklyn Allstars has died

Gospel promoter Gladys Poteat passed along the news that singer/drummer Mickey Martin died yesterday.

Martin shared his musical talents with many, including the Brooklyn Allstars, the Sons of Zion, Willie Banks and the Messengers, the Gospel Aires and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.

GMF expresses its sympathy to Mr. Martin’s family, friends, and supporters.

Homegoing arrangements are as follows:

Visitation for Family & Friends
Monday, June 17, 2013
12:30 – 1 PM
 New Light Missionary Baptist Church
1105 Willow Road
Greensboro, NC

Funeral to Follow at 1 PM

Radio veteran, Gospel Announcers Guild officer Donna Creer perishes in fire

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to and prayers on behalf of the family and many friends of gospel radio personality and GMWA Gospel Announcers Guild 2nd Vice President Donna Creer.  She and her husband Donald passed this morning when fire struck their Little Rock, AR home, according to published reports.  (Click here for the story from ABC affiliate KATV.)
Very recently, prayer requests circulated online after Creer was hospitalized due to a reported “serious and critical situation.”

I met Donna last July at GMWA, and she was a warm and kind spirit.  I was blessed by our brief time together, her wealth of knowledge, and her willingness to pass it along.

Homegoing arrangements for the couple, as reported by www.gospelnewsroom.com, are as follows:

Visitation
Thursday, June 20, 2013
12 – 6 PM
Robinson Mortuary
1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Little Rock, AR  72202

Memorial Musical 
Thursday, June 20, 2013
6:30 PM
Greater St. Mark Baptist Church
5722 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR  72204


Homegoing Celebration
Friday, June 21, 2013
11 AM
Greater St. Mark Baptist Church
5722 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR  72204

Homegoing services announced for Rev. Gerald Thompson

From robinsonmortuary.com
GMF is saddened to learn of the passing of Rev. Gerald Thompson on May 22, at age 52.  The noted singer/songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, and preacher’s popular compositions include “Everybody Ought To Know Who Jesus Is,” “Hallelujah I Found Him (The Barnyard Song),” and “Jesus Is My Rock.”  
Rev. Thompson’s discography includes work with the Arkansas Fellowship Mass Choir, Rev. Timothy Wright, Rev. James Moore, and Bishop Paul Morton and the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir.  He also co-produced Dottie Peoples’ albums Live At Salem and On Time God.

Additionally, Rev. Thompson served the Greenwood Missionary Baptist Church in Lamar, MS as its pastor and was the founder and president of Gerald Thompson Ministries, Inc.

He is survived his wife Vikki, stepsons, mother, and a host of other relatives.  GMF extends its sincerest condolences.

Homegoing arrangements are as follows:

Musical Tribute
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
6:30 PM
Covenant of Zion Cathedral
3023 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR 

Visitation for Family & Friends

Wednesday, May 29, 2013
12 – 6 PM
Robinson Mortuary Chapel
1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Little Rock, AR

Homegoing Celebration
Thursday, May 30, 2013
11 AM
Greater Second Baptist Church
5615 Geyer Springs Rd.
Little Rock, AR

Cards can be mailed to The Family of Gerald Thompson, P.O. Box 165818, Little Rock, AR  72202.  Flowers may be sent to Robinson Mortuary.

Rev. Arthur T. Jones, co-founder of Florida Mass Choir, has died

Jordan K. Phillips informed GMF that Pastor Arthur T. Jones passed away today after battling cancer since 2010.

Pastor Jones is co-founder of the Florida Mass Choir, with which he recorded and produced several projects.  In 2002, he released his first solo CD, Speak For Me.  He was also the founder and senior pastor of Tampa’s Bible-Based Fellowship Church.

GMF extends condolences to Pastor Jones’ wife, children, other relatives, friends, church family and Florida Mass Choir.