Philadelphia, Penna. View the latest documents, pictures, photos and images of or upload the files of your loved one. According to her sister Willa, Gertrude Ward recognized Clara's exceptional musical ability when Clara was a child and controlled and manipulated Clara throughout her life. The album was later reissued on the Capitols budget Pickwick label, minus one song. Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30- 10:30 am Monday. Funeral industry and Genealogy directory. Under the guidance of the Wards, Uniform Rental grew from its beginnings in Chattanooga until 1986 when Mr. And Mrs. Ward sold their part of the company and retired from active involvement in the business. Her decision focused attention not only on American racism and the barbarism of lynching but also on the limitations and vulnerabilities of American democracy. Their departure marked the end of the glory days for the Ward Singers, who later alienated much of their churchgoing audience by performing in Las Vegas, nightclubs, and other secular venues in the 1960s. (Olson) Kenneth Wells, choir director, announcer, preacher, and : Highway to Heaven Broadcast Ministries program, 1990, : Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, 1990, : Obsequies of Reverend Arthur Altas Peters, Victory Baptist Church, Sept. 30, 1975, : Voices of Victory Choir financial and membership report, Victory Baptist Church, 1970. : Too close to heaven; I don't care what the world may do : Resolution letter and envelope, Victory Baptist Church, 1980, : The heart, the faith, the soul of Clara Ward, ca. C. L. Franklin (with whom the Ward groups extensively toured), the famous Detroit-based preacher and father of Motown legend Aretha Franklin. (562) 863-8731. The Ward Singers narrowly missed death when their hotel in Vietnam was bombed and several guests died. She died at home with her family by her side, due to complications from Alzheimers. Login or Sign-up to show all important data, death records and obituaries absolutely for free! The group also recorded over the years as Clara Ward and the Ward Singers. Claras distinctive arrangement of the traditional hymn How I Got Over, recorded in 1950 for Gotham, was soon successfully covered by Mahalia Jackson for Apollo Records in New York. Sysoon memorials are rich with content, including dates, photos and bios. I, DID NOT KNOW HER PERSONALLY BUT, SPIRITUALLY, YES, I, DID. Clara Ward died on Monday after fighting different illnesses for years. Clara Ward & The Famous Ward Singers In 1931, seven-year-old Clara Ward and her nine-year-old sister Willarene (better known as "Willa") began performing with their mother, Gertrude, in Philadelphia. In 1977, Ward was honored posthumously at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City and her surviving sister, Willa, accepted the award in her honor. When Savoy began contracting with the Ward Singers for new recordings in the 1950s, they were primarily recorded and engineered in Bergen County, New Jersey, by Rudy Van Gelder. Other charitable organizations that benefited from the involvement and resources include Tennessee Baptist Childrens Homs, John Hagai Ministries, Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where the funds for the elevator at the football stadium were contributed by the Wards. A memorial service for Clara Ward. In the early days they wore regular church robes but soon adopted elegant suits or dresses, which quickly gave way to elaborate sequined evening gowns. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Although as musical director of the Ward franchise, Clara was willing to share the spotlight with her talented co-singers, she and her mother were allegedly reticent about sharing the group's financial rewards with other members, as well. Hashtag: sysoon60126146, memorial60126146, grave60126146, death, funeral, findagrave, buria , obituary, 39573c2, a Ward, obits, ssn, family. in THIS ISSUE (Sept 15, 1955) of Jet Magazine that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. PRAYING FOR YOU ALL FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME AND, MAY GOD COMFORT EACH AND EVERYONE AND KEEP YOU SAFE IN HIS ARMS. Experiencing civil rights history through the objects and ephemera of the time. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 85, born on September 14, 1911 and passed away on April 2, 1997. Much Love to you during this yet another difficult time. Malacos Former Employee Bill Isaacs Has Passed Away. They appeared on Oral Roberts' Country Roads TV special, later released as a soundtrack album. A woman who made a lasting impact on the Erie Community has passed away. Later recordings were issued on Columbia, Verve, Philips and Nashboro until Claras death in 1973 at age 48. Clara was often an advocate in the court system for people in trouble. Note: Do you have a family photo of Clara Ward? Ward is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. Information about the funeral process. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. She was a beloved gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. Curiously, none of the songs they recorded in Los Angeles were ever issued on Miltone, but many soon appeared on other labels, including Dolphins of Hollywood, Gotham and Savoy. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. As part of the investigation, the body was exhumed and autopsied resulting in a positive identification. Although Clara eloped as a teenager (at age 17 in 1941), her mother Gertrude forced her to tour and the strain caused the always frail Clara to have a miscarriage. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvization and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up". This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 51, born on February12, 1924 and passed away on June0, 1975. At Carson-Newman College, an endowment was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning to go into missions work. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Following the explosion in popularity of the blues, ragtime and jazz following World War I, gospel found an eager audience in Black churches throughout the South and Midwest. [2] Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947. Elvis Presley Greets Clara Ward in Las Vegas - Jet Magazine, February 27, 1964 Find this Pin and more on history by Valnecia Brown. The other 5 Jet Magazines in this collection show cover stories relating to Tills death: Will Mississippi Whitewash the Emmett Till Slaying?, Emmett Tills Ghost Haunts Natchez, Where is Third Man in Till Lynching? She was a beloved gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. Born in Robeson County, NC on May 5, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Troy Hewett and Frances Viola (Ollie) Wilson Hewett. Her former group members, known as the Stars of Faith, were featured along with Hughes in the first gospel stage play on Broadway, and the first play to feature an all-Black cast on Broadway Hughes musical play, The Black Nativity.. . She was born in Waycross, Ga., on March 8, 1939, daughter of the late Rilla Mims Jenkins Young and King David Jenkins. What is Archives, Military records of Clara Ward at Fold3.com. Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved! She made sure everyone's needs were taken care of before her own. : Clara Ward, 1925-1973: memorial tribute (Gospel News Journal, v. 8, no. His original casket was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. We are amplifying the voices and experiences of people who have been criminalized based on their HIV status. Erie First Defeats Cambridge Springs, Advances to, Warrens Season Ends as Dragons Fall to Hickory in, Harbor Creeks Season Ends, Grove City Advances to, Erie High Comes From Behind to Knock Off Allderdice, Otters Let Three Goal Lead Slip Away, Fall to Bulldogs, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, As Bowie archive finds new home at UK museum, start, 5 fun crafts for kids on St. Patricks Day, Bipatisan train derailment disasters bill introduced, Firefighter unaccounted after 4-alarm Buffalo fire, Millcreek combining Waste Management, Erie Water, Short-term rentals spark debate between residents, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Rep. Kelly co-chairs new Northern Border Security, Warmer weather saves City of Erie hundreds of thousands, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Birth date: 12February, Wards beautiful alto continues to delight music lovers. Always your friend, Sarah. [Cover page]: "Exclusive funeral pictures. Williams singing helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948. The USO did not pay a salary to entertainers, but after these tours, the Ward Singers went to Japan each year for commercial concerts and released LPs in Japan. Her mother, Gertrude Ward, also had a popular religious radio program in the Los Angeles market. SHE WILL TRULY BE MISSED BY FAMILY FRIENDS AND THE ERIE COMMUNITYWELL DONE MRS WARD REST WITH THE ANGELSBLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED MATT" 5:4. Gotham billed them as The Famous Ward Singers (of Philadelphia) and the name stuck, albeit without the name of the city. These war-time tours were filmed and all the Ward Singers were given special certificates of recognition by the U.S. Army. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Funeral industry and Genealogy directory. Miami-born Marion Williams (19271994) also influenced well-known musicians, particularly gospel great Alex Bradford and rock n roll pioneer Little Richard, both of whom emulated her high-pitched woos.. Clara Ward, 1925-1973: memorial tribute, 1973. Join a discussion and talk to others in the Sysoon community. In addition, their meager earnings were further reduced as Gertrude and Clara provided the group's housing and charged them for it. Sending my heartfelt sympathy for you all. He was reburied in a new casket, which is the standard practice in cases of body exhumation. These wartime tours were filmed, and all the Ward Singers were given special certificates of recognition by the U.S. Army. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. You know, if anybody asked her for anything she would give it. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Write a brief biography of the deceased and present it to the world. I pray that TMH God be with you during this difficult time. She married Louis Ward and they moved to Buffalo, N.Y. From this union, there were four children. Information about the funeral process. Till was from Chicago, Illinois, visiting his relatives in Money, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta region, when he spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant, the married proprietor of a small grocery store there. As gospel music grew in popularity in the first half of the twentieth century, Ward started singing professionally, first with her mother and her sister Willa as The Ward Trio. We will remember him forever. He truly was and is a gift from God. Friends may call at the Second Baptist Church, 757 East 26th Street, on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service there at noon, conducted by Rev. View source record on Waddy brought to the group a "rougher" alto sound and the enthusiastic stage manners learned from her South Carolina Pentecostal church background. . For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Recent Obituaries | Chapel of Memories Funeral Home. Los Angeles, CA. C. L. Franklin (with whom the Ward groups extensively toured), the Detroit-based preacher . .. She was thrilled someone did that for her. Her remains rest at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel 1435 E. Main St. Oak Hill, where the funeral service will be held 12pm Saturday with Rev. Clara Ward was first exposed to singing in her church. Clara Ward, age 80, of Erie, passed away Monday, August 26, 2019. Clara was a lifelong member of the First Brethren Church of Oak Hill. Singer Clara Ward at Dinah Washington's Funeral - Jet Magazine, January 2, 1964 Click the three dots button below and to the right and then click "all sizes" to read an article or to see the image clearly. To complete their dramatic image, they often wore coiffured wigs. Her only real happiness seems to have come from her longtime romance with Rev. Mrs. Ward was born in Louisa, Kentucky was one of five children of Jacob and Ida Hayes Thompson. This can be a wonderful, heartwarming experience for all. Such lively numbers as Down By the Riverside and When the Saints Go Marching In replaced many of the earlier gospel hits in their repertoire as they performed on major television network shows, in nightclubs and Las Vegas hotels and at Disneyland. Lived: 51 years. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Death Of Clara Ward Saddens World February 1, 1973", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clara_Ward&oldid=1134647085, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), 20th-century African-American women singers, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles needing additional references from January 2017, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 19:49. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist - East Chapel, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Memorials are rich with content, including dates, photos and bios. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. In 1950, Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers of Philadelphia made their first Carnegie Hall appearance on a gospel program titled Negro Music Festival, produced by gospel music pioneer, Joe Bostic, sharing the stage with Mahalia Jackson, appearing at the famed venue for Bostic's program in 1952, as well.[2]. Mrs. Ward and her husband, Clifton, and their friends, Charles and Jean Campbell, came to Chattanooga from West Virginia in 1953 to start Uniform Rental Service. Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved! Ward (Deandra); 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, whom she loved dearly. Mrs. Ward and her husband, Clifton, and their friends, Charles and Jean Campbell, came to Chattanooga from West Virginia in 1953 to start Uniform Rental Service. Clara Ward's passing on Sunday, May 15, 2022 has been publicly announced by Grundy Funeral Home in Grundy, VA. Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Clara in the. Clara B. Ward also recorded an album for MGM/Verve, Hang Your Tears Out To Dry, which included country and Western, blues/folk, pop and an arrangement of the Beatles' hit song, "Help". Play Tribute Movie. Gertrude first called the group "The Consecrated Gospel Singers," then simply "The Ward Trio." They were in constant demand on American television programs and appeared on The Mike Douglas Show over a dozen times. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", condemned by some gospel music purists as "clowning", was wildly popular with their audiences. Gertrude first called the group The Consecrated Gospel Singers, then simply The Ward Trio. The three singers, with the two girls alternating as piano accompanists, initially appeared at churches in and around their hometown, but after creating a sensation at the National Baptist Convention in Chicago in 1943, they began touring widely. My condolences to my erie family sorry i can not be there. Malaco is home to many recording artists and songwriters, a catalog of thousands of original recordings and song copyrights. Lamont Higginbottom. Wards poor health forced her to retire in the early 1970s, and she died after two strokes in 1973. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Till was from Chicago, Illinois, visiting his relatives in Money, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta region, when he spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant, the . https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3876036-dwyane-wade-gabrielle-union-wade-advocate-for-black-trans-rights-at-naacp-image-awards/. in 1969 for several more months. In turn, she greatly influenced the young Aretha Franklin, with whose father, the Reverend C.L. Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? Love u all rip clara, Dearest Claritha, My heart goes out to you at this time. Was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning to go into missions.! The group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948 is the standard practice in cases of body.., Crematory & Florist - East Chapel, Do not Sell or share My Personal information the world Henrietta joined! ( Gospel News Journal, v. 8, no, rewritten, or find something?. 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