Tag: Passings

Donald A. McClurkin, Sr., father of Donnie McClurkin, has died

Donnie McClurkin

Bob Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog shared the sad news of the passing of Donald A. McClurkin, Sr., father of gospel singers Donnie McClurkin and Andrea McClurkin-Mellini.  The patriarch died this morning, November 13.  The matriarch of the family, Frances McClurkin, passed in January.

Last week, Donnie petitioned his friends and fans for prayers on Social Cam, after disclosing that his father had undergone emergency surgery in South Carolina.  In the days following, he excitedly shared that his father was “full of faith” about his health situation.  


A couple of years ago, we at GMF talked with Donnie, and he had some very candid things to say about his dad (see Donnie McClurkin opens up about his father).


GMF extends condolences to and prayers for the McClurkin family during this time of transition.  

As they become available, you will find additional details at The Black Gospel Blog.

Pringle preps for cancer awareness benefit; father diagnosed, dies of it within days

Desmond Pringle, gospel singer who recently became a spokesman for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, mourns the passing of his father Bishop Lavern Pringle, Sr.  Bishop Pringle died last Monday, October 7, from stage IV colon cancer.  Only five days prior did he learn of the malignant mass.  Bishop Pringle was 66 years old.

“We’re in a state of shock,” Pringle says. “This was totally unexpected because he was just diagnosed Thursday and passed on Monday. He didn’t seem sick on the outside and was doing all of his regular things until this past week. He’s representative of the husband, the father, the brother, the uncle, the son and friend who are being diagnosed too late in the game. It’s horrible because he didn’t have to die. So, a few days before my last Cancer Treatment Center concert of the year, I get this news and I’m going to push this message so that my father’s death is not in vain.”

Pringle headlines “A Night of Hope & Inspiration” concert this Friday, October 18, at 7 PM at West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Psalmist Nikki Potts of the Kurt Carr Singers will perform.  Additionally, there will be a tribute to the late Bishop Walter Hawkins who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010. You can register for the free concert at www.ourjourneyofhope.com.

Arrangements for Bishop Pringle are as follows:

Viewing (No Wake Service)
Friday, October 18, 2013
6 – 8 PM
William A. Holmes Memorial Chapel/Suburban Funeral Home, Inc.
2336 Meeting Street Rd
Charleston, SC  29405

Homegoing Service
Saturday, October 19, 2013
1:30 PM
Royal Missionary Baptist Church
4761 Luella Ave
North Charleston, SC  29405

GMF extends condolences to Bishop Pringle’s wife, children, other relatives, and friends.  GMF also lifts Desmond in prayer as he continues to raise awareness about cancer prevention and treatment throughout the faith community.

Minister Charles Brown of the Fantastic Violinaires passes

Minister Charles Brown, lead and background singer of the Fantastic Violinaires, has died. 


Brown joined Robert Blair and the Fantastic Violinaires in 1969. He was formerly a member of the Pilgrim Jubilees.  According to his bio, shortly after joining the Violinaires he introduced the song “Separation Line,” which the group subsequently recorded.


GMF extends condolences to Brown’s family, friends, the Violinaires, and the quartet community.


According to a message from the Violinaires, arrangements are as follows:

Wake
Friday, October 18, 2013
7-9 PM
Dobbs Sterling United Methodist Church
3272 Brown Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30354


Homegoing Service
Saturday, October 19, 2013
12 Noon
United House of Prayer for All People
2719 3rd Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30315

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