By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Rev. Ricky McDuffie, lead singer of Ricky McDuffie and The Family, passed Sunday, August 18, 2019, finishing a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 31. 

Unfortunately, news of McDuffie’s death began circulating on social media Sunday before his immediate family made an official announcement.  (Please read this article about thinking before you post R.I.P. on social media.)  Condolences have continued to pour in from fans, friends, and contemporaries in the hours since the family’s official post. 

Ricky McDuffie became the lead singer of the family group consisting of his siblings and cousins, then called The Mighty Golden Stars, at the age of 10.  Shortly after their grandfather Melvin Teal allowed the group to record two songs for his own quartet group’s CD in the late 90s, the grands began traveling as Lil’ Ricky and the Mighty Golden Stars and eventually released their debut CD in 2005, titled, I’m On My Way to Heaven.  In 2013, the group underwent another name change to Ricky McDuffie and The Family.  Their most recent release is He Changed Me Live (2017). 

Despite declining health, McDuffie pressed on to perform with his family as recently as three weeks ago in late July.  In addition to being a singer, McDuffie was scheduled to celebrate nine years of preaching this past Sunday.

Update (8/23/19):  A Celebration of Life service has been announced for Sunday, August 25, 2019, at 3 PM at Berea Baptist Convention Center in Bennettsville, SC.  A musical tribute will take place Saturday, August 24, at 5 PM at Marlboro Civic Center, 106 Clyde Street in Bennettsville.  (Please note the venue for the musical has been changed from Spears Church to Marlboro Civic Center due to the expected attendance.)

GMF extends deepest condolences to McDuffie’s wife Valarie, his children, and the entire family throughout this most difficult time of adjustment.

 

“What could I say about the late great Tessie Hill, better known to many others as ‘Mama Tessie’? Well, I can tell you that I met her many years ago when I was singing with the Caravans. [She was] one of the ‘singingest’ women that you’d ever want to hear. Late last year, 2018, she came to our church in Raleigh, NC…and when that woman started singing in our morning worship, I had to sit my little self down. That woman had such a powerful and an anointed voice! And I want you to know that we will forever be thankful and grateful that God blessed her to come and to be such a wonderful blessing to all mankind. Those that knew her, those that sat under her singing ministry, we will forever remember Tessie Hill.”  

Arrangements for Tessie Hill are as follows:

GMF is sad to report the passing of Bishop Andrew J. Ford, II.  Ford died Friday, July 19, in New Jersey.

Bishop Ford was the presiding prelate of Next Generation Fellowship Ministries, Inc. and pastor of Philadelphia’s Ford Memorial Temple Baptist Church, the latter founded (as Highway Christian Church of Christ) and pastored by his father Bishop Andrew J. Ford, Sr. until his death in 1993.  Bishop Ford was also a gospel music industry notable who is credited with propelling several artists’ careers.  His social media bio reads in part:

[Bishop Ford] is also the founder and executive producer of Sweet Rain Record Company, where he discovered, launched the careers of, and produced some of America’s gospel notable artists such as Pastor Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, The Reverend Ernest Davis, Jr. and Wilmington Chester Mass Choir featuring Rev. Daryl Coley, Southeast Inspirational Choir of Houston, introducing Yolanda Adams, and many others. During his tenure in the recording industry, he was considered ‘The Renaissance Man’ of gospel music, because of his unique ability in recording live choir recordings. His production company was affectionately known as ‘The Choir Boys.’ He has also trained and produced his ‘How Sweet the Sound’ and ‘TV One / Sony Choir Competition’ award-winning church choir, The Anointed Voices of Ford Memorial Temple.

GMF extends condolences and prayers to Bishop Ford’s immediate and extended family, church family, and host of friends.