Category: Passings

Gospel Legend Delois Barrett Campbell of The Barrett Sisters: Labor to Reward

Delois Barrett CampbellGMF learned from Bob Marovich at The Black Gospel Blog that gospel legend Delois Barrett Campbell of The Barrett Sisters and formerly of the Roberta Martin Singers entered into eternal rest today.  She was 85 years-old.

I cannot say enough about what Mother Delois meant to me on a personal level.  I have not known a more genuine, kind-hearted, faith-filled, and tenacious person.  Our conversations and exchanges are ones that I will keep private, hold dear, and cherish always.

Delois Barrett Campbell was rare and is irreplaceable.  I love you, Mother Delois.

The Campbell and Barrett families have our sincerest, heartfelt sympathy.  We do rejoice, however, that Mother Delois has gone from the labors and cares of this life to rest and reward.

Arrangements are as follows:

Musical Tribute
Tuesday, August 9th
7 PM
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th Street – Chicago

Visitation
Wednesday, August 10th
6 PM
Trinity United Church of Christ

Homegoing Celebration
Wednesday, August 10th
7 PM
Trinity United Church of Christ

Interment
Thursday, August 11th
Oak Woods Cemetery

Please read more about her passing and career at The Black Gospel Blog and www.cbsnews.com.

Kirby Powell of gospel quartet, The Powell Tradition, has passed

GMF is sad to report that Kirby Powell, lead singer of Robersonville, NC quartet gospel group The Powell Tradition, passed Wednesday.  He was 29 years old.
The Powell Tradition is a family group consisting of brothers and cousins who were exposed to music as toddlers and who have been singing together as The Powell Tradition for more than 24 years. The group’s recordings include It’s Been Too Long and Personal Diary.

At the time of Powell’s passing, the group was prepping for an appearance on Bobby Jones Gospel next month as well as a live CD/DVD recording this fall.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Kirby’s wife and his entire family, friends, and The Powell Tradition.

Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing
Saturday, July 23 
6-8 PM
Roberson Chapel
4014 US Hwy 64, Robersonville, NC 

Homegoing
Sunday, July 24
2 PM
South Creek High School (formerly Roanoke High)
21077 Hwy 903, Robersonville, NC

Funeral Arrangements for Bishop F.C. Barnes of “Rough Side of the Mountain” Fame

Arrangements for Bishop F.C. Barnes have been announced by Glessa Morris, booking manager for Luther Barnes Song Ministries.  Barnes passed Monday morning.  He was 82. (See related post here.)

Memorial Service
Friday, July 15th
7-9 PM
Red Budd Holy Church
1108 Luper Street – Rocky Mount
Funeral
Saturday, July 16th
11 AM
Red Budd Holy Church

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Chapel in Wilson, NC.

Bishop, singer, and patriarch Barnes has passed

GMF is sad to report that Bishop Faircloth Barnes passed early this morning.

Bishop F.C. Barnes was the founder of Red Budd Holy Church in Rocky Mount, NC.  He is most recognized, however, for his rise to gospel music fame in 1983 with the blockbuster hit, “Rough Side of the Mountain,” recorded with Rev. Janice Brown.

Singing was seemingly always a family affair for the bishop.  Through the years, in addition to his own group, Bishop F.C. Barnes and Company (his nieces), Bishop Barnes was featured on projects with Luther Barnes, his son; The Sunset Jubilaires, his brothers; and the Red Budd Gospel Choir, which consists of his granddaughter, nieces, and other family and friends.  His sons Samuel, Melvin, and Tony were musicians on several of the recordings.

Recently, Bishop Barnes appeared on Darrell Luster’s (God is God) He Won’t Change album, putting his signature down home flavor on the title cut.

Please keep the entire Barnes family as well as the church family in your thoughts and prayers.

GMF will post arrangements as information becomes available.  Update: Arrangements have been announced.  Click here for service times.

Viola Crowley of the Clara Ward Singers has passed

Joseph Middleton of The Golden Era Gospel Blog reports the passing of Viola Crowley of the famed Clara Ward Singers.  Crowley sang lead on several of the group’s songs including “Traveling Shoes” and “We’re Marching to Zion,” in addition to serving as the group’s pianist for a time.  Read The Golden Era Gospel Blog’s announcement here:  R.I.P., Viola Crowley of the Clara Ward Singers.

GMF sends its condolences to the family of Viola Crowley. 

 Photo:  The Clara Ward Singers with Elvis Presley in 1969.  Viola Crowley is fourth from the right (beside Presley).

Willie Carrington, founding member of The Mighty Harmonaires, goes from labor to reward

Willie Carrington

GMF extends its sympathy to the family of Mighty Harmonaires’ original member, manager, singer, and lead guitarist Willie Carrington, who passed away Wednesday, June 15th. 

Carrington founded the quartet group more than 40 years ago, which over the years has consisted of family and close friends.  Carrington’s son Richard, the group’s current lead guitarist, also served a brief stint with the Brooklyn Allstars as bassist.  In addition to their travels along the east coast, the Harmonaires are heard live each Sunday morning on Roxboro, NC’s WRXO (1430AM) and WKRX (96.7FM). 

Carrington will be remembered for his love of God, love of people, and love of music.  Below is the obituary from the Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service website.

___________________

 

Deacon Willie Richard “Mena” Carrington, Jr., age 79 of 300 Newell Street in Roxboro left to be with the Lord on June 15, 2011 at Duke Medical Center. He was a life time member and Deacon of the Prospect Hill Baptist Church where he served for many years. 
 
He was the manager, leader and retired lead guitar player for The Mighty Harmonaires of Roxboro, NC for over 40 years. 
 
He leaves to cherish his memory two children–his daughter, Cynthia Petty and husband Steven; his son William “Richard” Lee Carrington, Sr. and wife Antoinette both of Roxboro, NC; and six grandchildren–Tiffany Cash (husband Steve); William Richard Lee Carrington, Jr. “RJ” (wife Terri); Cinzia Petty, DeAngelo Lunsford, Stavonna Petty and Alicia Toler.  He is also survived by six great grandchildren.  Carrington is survived by three sisters–Essie Edwards of Baltimore, MD; Lucille Bailey and Virginia Lester of Roxboro, NC; two sisters-in-law–Hallie Blackwell of Roxboro, NC and Mattie Howard of New Jersey; three brothers-in-law–Gaither Williams, Jr. of Pennsylvania; Jerry Williams and Clarence Blackwell, Sr. both of Roxboro, NC. 
 
Viewing:
Saturday, June 18th
1-8 P.M. (the family will be at the funeral home 7-8 P.M.)
Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service – 603 South Main St, Roxboro
 
Funeral:
Sunday, June 19th
2 P.M.
Prospect Hill Baptist Church – 301 Bethel Hill School Road, Roxboro

Funeral Services for Alfred “Gino” Smith of the Gospel Keynotes

Thanks to TBGB for passing along arrangements for Alfred “Gino” Smith, baritone singer for the Gospel Keynotes.  Smith passed Saturday, April 2, 2011, in Rochester, NY.

The funeral is today, Saturday, April 9, at 11am, at Rock of Ages-Christ Good Shepherd Church.  The church is on 1000 Winton Road North in Rochester.  Interment will be in Falls Cemetery.  Memories Funeral Home is in charge of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
The Family of Alfred “Gino” Smith
c/o Memories Funeral Home
1005 Hudson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14621-3739

He is survived by his wife, Pat; three sisters; two brothers; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Funeral Services for Willie Claud Ligon, Brother of Mighty Clouds’ Joe Ligon

The homegoing service for Willie Claud Ligon will be Monday, April 11, 2011, at 10am, at Second Mt. Nebo Baptist Church.  The church is at 11118 Yukon Avenue, Inglewood, CA.  Interment will be in Inglewood Park Cemetery.  Services have been entrusted to Simpson Family Mortuary.

Ligon passed April 2, 2011.  He is the younger brother of Joe Ligon from the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

Passings Within the Quartet Community

GMF is sad to report that Alfred “Gino” Smith, baritone singer for the Gospel Keynotes passed away this weekend.

Also, Willie Claud Ligon, younger brother of The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s lead singer and original member Joe Ligon, has passed away.

GMF offers its condolences.  Please uplift their families and friends in prayer during this time.