Tag: Passings

Rev. James Herndon remembers former Herndon singer Nathan Murphy

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Gospel singer Nathan Murphy, former member of the James Herndon Singers and organizer of the Nathan Murphy Singers, passed Monday, August 17, reported JGM’s Bob Marovich for the Journal of Gospel Music.

Rev. James Herndon, who departed the famous Caravans in the late 1960s and formed the James Herndon Singers, spoke with GMF about Murphy, fondly remembering him as a dedicated member of the group.  He was a blessing on and off stage, helping to coordinate everything from reliable transportation to the singers’ stage attire; the latter task he shared with fellow member Roxie Bibbs.  Murphy was also instrumental in the selection of his aunt, Wilma Strickland, becoming a member of the group.

“Nathan was never one to be out front, but he supported everyone else in leading songs,” Herndon tells GMF.  “He saw the James Herndon Singers as a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”

Rev. Herndon also recalls Murphy’s commitment to education and self-improvement.  He attended school to become a respiratory therapist and after his eventual departure from the James Herndon Singers, he pursued a law degree.  He also established his own group, the Nathan Murphy Singers, whom Herndon says “were quite popular in the Los Angeles area and [did] some out of state performances.”

“But he never let these accomplishments sway his faith in God.”

GMF sends prayers up for the family, friends, and fans of Nathan Murphy.

Read more at the Journal of Gospel Music: RIP Nathan Murphy: Sang with James Herndon, Had Own Group

Songwriter, worship leader DeVaughn Murphy passes

Photo | Vaughn’s Fb profile

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF extends condolences to the Murphy family in the passing of DeVaughn Murphy, son of Bishop William Murphy, Jr. and brother of Pastor William Murphy, III.

An anointed songwriter, musician, and worship leader, tunes from DeVaughn’s pen include “Chasing After You” and “Lord, You Are Awesome,” “Like Never Before,” and “Let Us See Jesus.”

Please join GMF in lifting his wife, daughter, and other family members and friends in prayer. 


Gregory Gay of GOSPELflava has shared information regarding the services.  Livestream information is below:

 

Evangelist Maggie Ingram makes transition

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF is sad to report that Evangelist Maggie Ingram, likely the oldest active female singer on the gospel quartet circuit, has passed from labor to reward, less than two weeks shy of her 85th birthday (July 4).  Radio announcer Grace Rhodes of Rhodes Productions passed along the news earlier this evening (Tuesday, June 23). 

Evangelist Ingram was the matriarch and lead singer of The Ingramettes, a group that initially consisted of her five children John, Lucious, Tommie, Almeta, and Christine, whom she taught to harmonize.  Her husband and the children’s father, Thomas Jefferson Ingram, was a young preacher and their musical gifts were a help to his ministry. 

Among Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes’ classic recordings are “Family Prayer,” “Like A Ship,” “Miami Riot,” and “The Richmond Flood.”  The group’s current release, Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes: Live in Richmond, was recorded in 2011 and was billed as their final “live” recording.

Despite humble beginnings and no formal musical training, Evangelist Ingram emerged as one of the most beloved female quartet singers along the East Coast with multiple performances at The Kennedy Center, The Richmond Folk Festival, and regular ministry outreach to incarcerated individuals and their families.  And despite having earned the equivalent of a third grade education, she served as guest lecturer along with her daughter Almeta at the University of Virginia in 2010; was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Virginia Triumphant College and Seminary in 2011; and conducted a master class along with the Ingramettes at The College of William and Mary in 2013.

Please join GMF in lifting Evangelist Ingram’s family, friends, the Ingramettes, and the gospel quartet community in prayer.  You may visit Wilson & Associates’ Funeral Service, Inc. for homegoing information.

R.I.P. Edward "Eddie" Huffman, formerly of the Soul Stirrers

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF is sad to learn of the recent passing of Edward “Eddie” Huffman, Sr., former frontman for the Soul Stirrers. Huffman died May 13, at age 71.

Huffman joined the Soul Stirrers in 1973 and led some of the group’s popular numbers, including “Lord, Remember Me.” In 2000, he co-organized a quartet called the Soul Savers. A later reorganization of the group led to the release of the traditional gospel quartet album, Testimony, in 2004.

A homegoing service was held May 28, at Divine Mortuary in Lithonia, GA.  Our condolences are extended to the Huffman family during this difficult time.

Photo Credit | Facebook Profile of Edward Huffman, Sr.

The Church and B.B. King

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Over his nearly 70-year professional career, blues legend B.B. King (1925-2015) returned to his gospel roots once, in 1959, to record a vinyl album entitled B.B. King Sings Spirituals. The Crown Records release captures 30-something year-old King wailing, at times both vocally and on his guitar, tunes that we now know have withstood the test of time in traditional gospel.  Among them is “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” composed by a former blues pianist who is now recognized as the Father of Gospel Music, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey. 

King passed May 14, at the age of 89.

In his essay for The Washington Post, “How the church gave B.B. King the blues,” Daniel Silliman explores King’s church upbringing. Read it to gain insight into the King of the Blues’ relationship to the church and gospel music in his own words. 

B.B. King’s official website reports that there will a public viewing Friday, May 22, from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Palm South Jones Mortuary, 1600 South Jones Blvd, Las Vegas.  For complete information about the memorials and funeral, visit www.bbking.com.

Evelyn Starks Hardy, founding member of the Original Gospel Harmonettes, has died

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

One by one, our gospel veterans are exchanging labor for rest.

Bob
Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF this morning that Evelyn Starks Hardy, singer,
arranger, and accompanist for the Original Gospel Harmonettes, passed
today (April 2). We extend our condolences to her family and friends.

Hardy was born in 1922 in Birmingham, AL, and grew up in the church. She began playing for her church when she was nine and later cited Roberta Martin as one of her musical influences.

Marovich highlights Hardy’s career in music as well as education here: Evelyn Starks Hardy Dies; Member of the Original Gospel Harmonettes 

Photo Credit | Professor Nathaniel Frederick, II

Rev. Gene Martin, who formerly traveled with Evangelist A.A. Allen, dies

Rev. Gene Martin

Rev. Gene Martin went to be with the Lord today (March 20), after several months of illness.  He was 75 years old.

The well-known singer, choir director, and evangelist began his recording career in the 1960s with Evangelist A.A. Allen.  For several years to follow, he traveled with Allen, singing at revivals and with the Miracle Valley Choir. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Rev. Martin traveled the country with his own ministry, the Gene Martin Action Revival.  In 2001, he was presented to another generation of traditional gospel music lovers through Bishop Carlton Pearson’s Live at Azusa, Vol. 4, which featured his Holy Ghost-drenched rendition of “Too Close to Heaven/I’ve Got It.”

GMF extends condolences to Rev. Gene Martin’s family and friends during this bittersweet time. Though he is surely at rest, he will be greatly missed.

Photo Credit | Facebook Profile of Gene Martin

Cheryl "Cheri" McClurkin, sister of Donnie McClurkin, passes on [Arrangements Added]

Los Angeles, CA (March 3, 2015) – The McClurkin Family gathered together today to say farewell to sibling, Cheryl “Cheri” McClurkin, who died from complications of a massive coronary heart attack at 4pm EST.

Cheri was a mother of five and grandmother of nine; she sang and recorded with The McClurkin Family over the years. However, she is best known as a playwright who recently penned her life story in the form of a riveting play entitled “A Cry for Help,” that was produced by her own company, Cheronic Productions. The family will ensure that this play lives on in her honor.

The McClurkin Family requests prayers and privacy at this time. All cards and condolences can be forwarded to Perfecting Faith Church, 311 N. Main, Freeport, NY 11520. Details for service arrangements will be forthcoming.


Update (3/6/15): Arrangements, as announced by Donnie McClurkin, are below.

Homegoing Service
Friday, March 13, 2015
7 PM
Freedom Chapel International Church
641 Broadway
Amityville, NY 11701
(Pastor Jimmy Jack)

George Dickens, Jr. of George Dickens and The Gospel Disciples succumbs [Arrangements Added]

GMF is sad to report the passing of George Dickens, Jr. The singer died after being shot Saturday afternoon (February 28) at his barbershop in Tarboro, NC, according to WITN News. He was 36 years old.

Dickens is known throughout and beyond North Carolina as a singer, songwriter, and producer.  In addition to a string of popular recordings with his family group George Dickens and The Gospel Disciples (including “All I Need,” “Nobody But You,” and “Turnin’ Things Around”), he also penned and was featured on Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson’s hit song “I Made It” (from the album Just Being Me) which won Johnson a Stellar Award in 2007.


Our deepest sympathy is extended to Dickens’ family, friends, group members, and all who mourn his unexpected passing. 

Services are entrusted to Hemby-Willoughby Funeral Mortuary, Inc., and arrangements have been announced: Obituary for George Lee Dickens, Jr.

Family, friends remember singer Stephanie Dotson

Stephanie Dotson, known widely for her musical performance in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion, passed unexpectedly Monday, February 23. Her family and friends talked with KSLA News about her legacy.  Read more here: Shreveport gospel singer dies, loved ones remember her legacy


Prior to her appearance on the big screen, Stephanie emerged as the winner of BET’s Gospel Dream singing competition in 2004. Subsequently, she released Miracles Still Happen on the Artemis Gospel label.


GMF extends condolences to Stephanie’s family, friends, and colleagues.


Photo Credit | Facebook Profile of Stephanie Dotson