Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
A capacity crowd filled the pews and every available chair of Raleigh’s 1500-seat Mt. Calvary Word of Faith today (July 12) for the second and final day of “Celebration of Life” services for Bishop Harold Ivory Williams.
During the joyous four-hour service, a host of clergy tributes were interspersed between uplifting musical numbers from the combined choirs of Washington, DC’s Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church. Bishop Terence Sykes and Pastor Frenchee Wiggins each rendered stirring hymn solos. Sykes’ a cappella rendering of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” gave rise to the morning’s first sanctuary-wide praise frenzy, and “To God Be the Glory” as ministered by Wiggins was one of Bishop Williams’ favorite songs.
Elders Marc and Hope Mason and Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams also fondly remembered their beloved with family tributes. Hope spoke first, sharing warm memories of “Daddy,” followed by her husband, Marc, who recalled invaluable albeit humorous advice he received from his new father-in-law the day he and Hope eloped. Pastor Caesar then gave reflections of “Daddy Harold,” as she lovingly called him, and expressed deep gratitude before bursting into dance and minutes later, the chorus of “He’s Working It Out For You.” At least twice, she addressed Bishop Williams directly and with admiration, first declaring, “Daddy Harold, I will see you…I will see you again!” and then, in her final words before leaving the pulpit, “We remember you, Daddy Harold.”
Additional expressions of sympathy were acknowledged from The Clark Sisters, Bishop T.D. Jakes, President Obama, and others.
Archbishop Alfred Owens, Jr., Presiding Prelate of MCHCA and spiritual son of Bishop Williams, delivered the eulogy.
“The Last Mile”
Pastor Caesar-Williams prepares to escort “Daddy Harold,” her love of 31 years, to his resting place.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Hundreds gathered this evening to celebrate the life of Bishop Harold Ivory Williams, Sr. at the first of two days of services for the former Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop Emeritus of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America (MCHCA), Inc. Bishop Williams, who passed July 4, at age 93, was remembered as “The Patriarch, The Preacher, The Pianist.”
Among the many who gave remarks and musical tributes during the two-and-a-half hour service at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church were Bishop Barbara Amos, Bishop George Bloomer, organist/songwriter Michael Mathis, the Caesar Singers, and the Cornerstone Church of Jesus Christ Combined Choir.
Bishop Williams was praised for his humility, humor, leadership, scholarship, and particularly his musicianship. In fact, many in attendance learned tonight that his middle name, Ivory, was acquired in association with a group he founded in the 1940’s, The Ivory Gospel Singers (which also had Thelma Jackson, who later sang with the Clara Ward Singers, as its member). It happens that Mahalia Jackson was the first to refer to him by “Ivory,” causing the name–actually a fitting one, considering his gift for tickling the ivories–to remain with him.
Saturday’s national “Celebration of Life” service will begin at 11 am, at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church, with viewing for two hours prior. According to Bishop Kelvin Shouse, you can go to www.mchca.org for information about live streaming.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
 |
| 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).
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
 |
| Bishop Williams |
Pastor Shirley Caesar Williams and the Mt.
Calvary Word of Faith Church family invite you to the birthday celebration services for Bishop Harold Ivory Williams.
All services will be held at the church, which is located at 3100 Sanderford Road in Raleigh.
Guests for the celebration are as follows:
Wednesday, April 17 – 7:30 PM
Dr. Mable Weaver
Seed Time and Harvest Fellowship, Inc.
Durham, NC
Thursday, April 18 – 7:30 PM
Bishop Ralph D. Graves
The Gathering Place
Raleigh, NC
Friday, April 19 – 7:30 PM
Pastor Raymond Boney
Victory at Calvary Covenant Ministries
Durham, NC
Sunday, April 21
11 AM
Bishop Harvey L. Rice
Mt. Calvary Holy Church
Salisbury, NC
5:00 PM
Bishop Freddie Marshall
Greater Church of Deliverance
Winston-Salem, NC
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
 |
| Click flyer to enlarge |
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
Bishop Harold Ivory Williams, Sr., former Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America (MCHCA), Inc., will be honored this weekend at his 90th birthday celebration.
The celebration will be held at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church on Sunday, April 17, 2011, at 5:00pm. The guest speaker is Rev. John Flowers, Jr. Bishop Williams’ wife, Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams, is the host pastor.
Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church is located at 3100 Sanderford Road in Raleigh, NC.
Bishop Williams led MCHCA for more than 37 years as Senior Bishop before choosing to take emeritus status in 2008.
Happy birthday and God’s blessings to you, Bishop Williams!
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.