Category: Passings

The Napper Singers' Constance Napper Daniels passes away

Constance Napper Daniels (right), a lead singer of the Napper Singers, has died.
Photo from Napper Singers Facebook page

Thanks to Pastor Scottie Torain for sharing the sad news that Constance Napper Daniels (right), a lead singer of the Napper Singers, has died (April 11, 2017).  She was 68 years old.

Journalist Audrey Williams of The Winston-Salem Chronicle authored a feature on the Nappers 33 years ago, in which Constance is described as “the stronghold” of the family group.  “Until I die,” Constance told Williams.  “Until I die they’ll be together.”

Indeed, the Napper Singers are a vibrant part of Winston-Salem, NC’s gospel music legacy.  The singing group was organized in 1958 by the Napper siblings’ parents, the late Dr. Warren Jake and Mary Mack Napper. Through the years, they released several recordings, including the albums We Are On The Lord’s Side (1984) and Do You Know Him? (2010).  Constance inscribed fervor and conviction into the songs she ministered, among them, “God is Real” and “It’s Gonna Rain.”

Please join GMF in lifting the Napper and Daniels families in prayer during this difficult time. 

The homegoing service takes place Monday, April 17, at Winston-Salem’s Emmanuel Baptist Church on 1075 Shalimar Drive. The wake begins at noon and the funeral begins at 1 PM.

William Bright of Dixie Hummingbirds remembered as pioneer, mentor

William Bright of the Dixie Hummingbirds has died

Funeral services were recently held in Philadelphia for William Bright, a longtime member of the Dixie Hummingbirds.  Bright died earlier this month (Feb. 4), on his way to a radio interview about the group. 

The quartet veteran was born in Greene County, NC, and grew up in Philadelphia.  His love of singing eventually married him to the Dixie Hummingbirds. 

Arlene Edmonds, correspondent to The Philadelphia Tribune reported on the homegoing service and Bright’s contributions to gospel music: Dixie Hummingbirds era ends with singer’s passing

GMF continues to lift the Bright family as well as The Birds in prayer.

Musician Ivan Powell, Sr. passes on [Arrangements Added]

Arrangements graphic



By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Singer/songwriter/producer/musician Ivan Powell, Sr. passed away today (January 18), at the age of 50. Remembrances flooded social media as the news circulated this afternoon.

 
A chance meeting with John P. Kee at the Stellar Awards in the early 90s resulted in Powell accepting the position of music director with the New Life Community Choir a few years later. He is the featured singer with Kee on “Stand.”  Powell is also noted for his work with Karen Clark Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ron Winans, nephew Doobie Powell, and many more. 


Our prayers of comfort are with the Powell family, friends, colleagues, and protégés.

From Labor to Reward: Joe Ligon of the Mighty Clouds of Joy [Arrangements Added]

Joe Ligon
Photo from Joe Ligon Facebook profile

GMF joins thousands of others in mourning the passing of quartet legend Joe Ligon today (December 11). Jamaal Moore, a friend of GMF, first informed us of the news. We extend our condolences and prayers to Ligon’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE DEATH OF WILLIE JOE LIGON
 
We are heartbroken to share the news that the World’s Greatest Male Gospel Singer – Willie Joe Ligon, Founder and Lead Singer of the three-time Grammy Award-winning group – The Mighty Clouds of Joy of Los Angeles, California passed away today, Sunday, December 11, 2016.
 
Joe was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, Mentor, and Friend to so many who loved him dearly. Joe will always be remembered as one of the top-selling and most awarded Gospel Artist of All Time because of his recordings and music that continues to bless millions all around the World.
 
As much as Joe cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of goodwill from people around the world and from all walks of life.
 
While we mourn the loss of a very good and amazingly humble man, we also celebrate his remarkable life as one of the most successful artists in Gospel Music History and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits as he did with The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
 
For those who may ask what they can do to honor Joe, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service to mankind, accomplishment by being your best and doing your best and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a stormy day think of Joe and get comfort in knowing that he is no longer in the storm that was too long.
 
Additional information about the final arrangements will be released to the General Public pending Mr. Ligon’s Family’s approval.
 
We kindly ask everyone to please respect the Family’s privacy during this time of bereavement.
 
Thank you!
 
Best regards,
 
Pastor Isaac Lindsey
Manager 
Joe Ligon & The Mighty Clouds of Joy 
www.JoeLigon.org or www.TheMightyCloudsofJoy.org


Update (12/16/16 at 10:30 PM ET) – Arrangements regarding the Celebration of Life services for Joe Ligon have been issued in the official statement below.  Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. will deliver the eulogy.

 

GMF remembers Roxboro area singer Frances Torain of the Torain Family Singers

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Frances Torain

GMF joins the local gospel community in mourning the passing of Frances Torain, a founder and lead singer of the Torain Family Singers of Roxboro, NC.  Torain made her transition Tuesday, November 1, 2016, after recent years of health challenges.  She was 78 years old.

The Torain Family Singers recently celebrated their 47th anniversary.  Over the years, they have canvassed the NC/VA area singing God’s praises, including their uptempo arrangements of audience favorites “99 1/2 Won’t Do” and “The Train.”

Frances’s singing style was non-showy, rustic, and churchy.  A highlight of her musical performances was her ability to deliver a rollicking traditional number in an abbreviated fashion, leaving congregations clapping, tapping, and craving more as she and the group returned to their seats to enjoy the remainder of the service.  She and the Torain Family Singers would sometimes pack as many as three tunes into seven minutes–a task that is seldom accomplished nowadays at gospel musicals.

GMF lifts the Torain Family and friends in prayer during this difficult time.  Arrangements, per Cunningham and Nelson Funeral Home, are as follows:

Visitation
Monday, November 7, 2016
1-5 PM
Cunningham and Nelson Funeral Home
87 Brookland Church Road, Hwy 158 East
Roxboro, NC 27573
&
6-8 PM
Christian Apostolic Holiness Church
5445 McGhee’s Mill Road
Semora, NC 27343

Funeral Service
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
2 PM (body will lie in state for one hour prior)
Christian Apostolic Holiness Church
5445 McGhee’s Mill Road
Semora, NC 27343


Services announced for Lecresia Campbell

The passing of songstress Lecresia Campbell (September 29) left the gospel music industry in mourning.  Campbell—whose notable songs include “Perfect Praise (How Excellent)” with Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago, “Stand Still,” “Magnify,” and “Safety”—was recovering from a stroke and was scheduled to be released from Emory Rehabilitation when a pulmonary embolism led to her demise.

Remembrances have flooded social media and include condolences from fans and ministry colleagues across the country.  Our prayers are with Campbell’s family, friends, and fans.  Celebration of Life services appear on the flyer below.

Arrangements flyer for Lecresia Campbell

Ruth Cooper (1928-2016) of The Cooper Four

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ruth Cooper of The Cooper Four has died.

Ruth Cooper, a lead singer of The Cooper Four, passed away August 12, 2016.  She was 88.

Ruth and three of her siblings—twin brother Reuben (d. January 12, 2016), sister Maria (d. 1996), and brother Walter—started singing in 1935, at their log cabin in Hillsborough, NC.  By 1954, The Cooper Four were singing live every week on WSRC, Durham’s first all-Black radio station.  They continued to harmonize every Sunday morning on the radio for well over fifty years.

The group’s rootsy traditional singing style, simple guitar accompaniment, and distinctly deep singing voices amassed both a local and regional following in their heyday, including 12 year-old Shirley Caesar, who appeared at one of their anniversary programs.  In the 1960s, WSRC Records released a 45rpm single featuring the quartet and the sides “This May Be My Last Time” and “Stay in the Field Until the War is Ended.”  

GMF extends condolences to Ruth’s brother Walter and to other Cooper family members and friends.

GMF remembers Tunesha Crispell (1972-2016)

Tunesha Crispell has died.

A pair of services was recently held July 17 and July 18 in Charlotte, NC to commemorate the life and celebrate the homegoing of songstress Tunesha Crispell.  Tunesha went to be with the Lord on July 13, 2016, after completing a courageous battle with cancer.  She was 43.

Reporter Timothy Yap remembered her life and music at hallels.com.

GMF has continued to lift Tunesha’s son Melvin Crispell, III, and other members and friends of the Crispell family in prayer during this time of adjustment. 

R.I.P. Wilbert Williams, former member of the Clouds, manager for the Mighty Sanfordaires

Mighty Clouds of Joy

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The gospel quartet music community mourns the passing of Wilbert Lee Williams (pictured far left), who died May 14, 2016.  He was 57.  

Williams was a former member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy.  He is featured on the group’s albums Power, Live in Charleston, Together as One, and Gospel Legacy.  

Williams was also a lead singer for the Mighty Sanfordaires, whose projects include Fire and Pick Me Up. The Sanfordaires celebrated their 49th singing anniversary this past Sunday, just one day after Williams made his transition.  The event easily turned into a bittersweet tribute to the group’s longtime frontman and manager.

The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, at 3 PM, at Works for Christ Christian Center, 1395 Fire Tower Road, in Sanford, NC.

Leomia Boyd (1950-2016): Singer and Businesswoman

Leomia Boyd has died

GMF notes the transition of Grammy-nominated gospel singer Leomia Boyd.  Boyd passed away Monday, May 9, 2016, at the age of 65.  We extend condolences to all of Leomia’s family and friends.  

The funeral service was held Sunday, May 15, in Aberdeen, MS.

View WTVA’s report of her passing here: Aberdeen Businesswoman. Grammy-nominated singer Leomia Boyd dies