in 1969 for several more months. Clara Ward, age 80, of Erie, passed away Monday, August 26, 2019. Clara has one son, Edward Merle Johnson and wife Sharon (Morton) Johnson who was also Claras caretaker, from Oak Hill, and one daughter, Bonnie Hutcherson and husband Edward of Louisville, KY. She has 5 grandchildren, Shawn Deane of Montgomery, WV, Angela Johnson, and Timothy Johnson from Oak Hill, Chrystal Johnson Reller and husband Josh, from Las Vegas, NV, and Dr. Edward Merle Johnson II and wife Yun from Milwaukee, WI. Clara was born in Princewick, WV on December 29, 1929. (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. This can be a wonderful, heartwarming experience for all. . We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. [1] Aretha Franklin and Rev. Events surrounding Emmett Tills life and death, according to historians, continue to resonate, and almost every story about Mississippi returns to Till, or the region in which he died, in some spiritual, homing way. By 1951, the group was formally recording for Savoy and continued doing so for the next 11 years. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. A true blessing to the Erie community. Tuesday. She loved everybody and no one was a stranger to her. Experiencing civil rights history through the objects and ephemera of the time. Finally, Jan. 16, 1973, at the age of 48, she was dead. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Williams left the group in 1958, when her demand for a raise and reimbursement for hotel expenses was rejected. This movie was released by MGM in 1968 and Clara's picture appears on lobby cards and other movie advertisements. Several nights later, Bryants husband Roy and his half-brother J. W. Milam went to Tills great-uncles house. Miss Ward, leader of the Clara Ward Singers, had been in a coma at U.C.L.A. 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. Clara was the beloved mother of two daughters, Cynthia Ward-Moore and Claritha "ReRe" Meyers both of Erie; and two sons, Donald Ward (Marilyn) of Buffalo, N.Y. and Bennie Ward of Erie. Gertrude created and managed a second group, "The Clara Ward Specials", to accompany the Ward Singers. 8, No. ", My lovely aunt Clara me and the kids are very upset but our family is strong. Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 - January 16, 1973) was a gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. Clara Troy Ward, 92, Ft. Walton Beach, FL died November 19, 2022. Funeral industry and Genealogy directory. Her mother, Gertrude Ward, also had a popular religious radio program in the Los Angeles market. In 1977, Ward was honored posthumously at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City, and her surviving sister, Willa, accepted an award in her honor. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She had a marked influence on later singers, such as her protge Aretha Franklin, who adopted her moan for secular songs, and who saluted Ward in Amazing Grace, the gospel album she recorded with James Cleveland in the early 1970s. In 1969, Ward recorded an album for Capitol Records, Soul and Inspiration, consisting of pop songs from Broadway plays, Hollywood movies and the Jimmy Radcliffe song of hope "If You Wanna Change The World". (416) 241-4618. In addi Ward recorded her first solo song in 1940, and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio, thereafter. Other movie appearances include Its Your Thing starring the Isley Brothers, and Spree, also known as Night Time in Las Vegas. The late 1960s and early 1970s were an extremely busy and successful time for the Clara Ward Singers. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Preceded in death by her husband Timothy F. Ward who served in 4 different branches in the military. Marion Williams was also added to the group; she came out of the Pentecostal tradition growing up in Miami, Florida. We will remember him forever. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 51, born on February12, 1924 and passed away on June0, 1975. Weeks after the home was remodeled I stop by several times to visit Clara in which my students made her a scrapbook of all the events from Extreme Home Makeover. Although Clara eloped as a teenager (at age 17 in 1941), her mother forced her to tour, and the strain caused the always frail Clara to have a miscarriage; her marriage ended after only one year. How the Emmett Till Case Changed 5 Lives, Emmett Tills Mother Starts a New Life.. Both Aretha Franklin and her father sang at Ward's funeral in Philadelphia. 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 . Wards poor health forced her to retire in the early 1970s, and she died after two strokes in 1973. Part of the renovations made during Extreme Makeover was the extension of the Youth Development Center. She was well known for her love of community service and was the founder of the Youth Development Center. Send Flowers. Together they formed the Stars of Faith, who recorded albums for Savoy and Vee-Jay before Williams left in 1965 to launch a solo career. Her 1972 album Uplifting on United Artists, produced by Nikolas Venet and Sam Alexander, included an interpretation of Bill Wither's pop hit "Lean On Me" and a rearrangement of the Soul Stirrer's 1950's recording of "Thank You, Jesus". We are currently preparing a system for publishing answers. 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. During her career,. A Courageous Woman for the Children & the Oppressed in Erie. One of Clara's best hymns accompanied by pictures of her with Marion Williams and her companion, Rev. The institution can answer questions about this item, assit you with obtaining a hi-res copy, and gather additional information you may have about it. She married Louis Ward and they moved to Buffalo, N.Y. From this union, there were four children. Family members said she left a lasting impact on the families and children she helped. Photograph of Clara Ward on the cover. Erie's Clara Ward, recipient of 2009 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, has passed away Posted: Aug 27, 2019 / 12:22 PM EDT Updated: Aug 27, 2019 / 12:22 PM EDT Published by Erie Times-News on Aug. 29, 2019. 2035 Weston Road, York, Ontario , M9N 1X7. Enjoy free access to the most up-to-date SSDI search for individuals with International Social Security numbers. Two of their songsSurely God Is Able and Move Up a Little Higher, both released by Gotham that yearbecame major gospel hits, said to have sold more than a million copies each. It became Jacksons signature song. We will remember him . And no wonder she raised such a wonderful woman as you. Love u all rip clara, Dearest Claritha, My heart goes out to you at this time. Military records of Clara Ward at Fold3.com, a free resource for finding the final resting places, listings for thousands of celebrity graves. In the comfort of your reward for your faithful dedication to the Lord.Rest in Peace. Clara was a great pillar of the church and community and was an inspiration to all who knew her personally or through her ministries. Visit the Funeral Home's Website. These war-time tours were filmed and all the Ward Singers were given special certificates of recognition by the U.S. Army. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. According to Willa Ward's biography of Clara Ward, with the exception of Gertrude and Clara, Willa and other members of the group were grossly underpaid. I thought others might appreciate these tidbits of forgotten history of People of Color. Ward ranks among the greatest of gospel singers along with Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and others. 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. You can become a member, create a memorial, submit data, add flowers, add photos and search our database at no charge. Through the program, Clara took dozens of kids on different field trips. She was thrilled someone did that for her. Ward's mother, Gertrude Mae Ward (ne Murphy;[1] 19011981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called, variously, The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter, Willarene Mae ("Willa"). For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. You can even leave virtual flowers on the memorials you visit to complete the online cemetery experience. Prayers & Blessings to the family.. She is HOME!! 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. Tills body was returned to Chicago. 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. SHE LOVED CHILDREN AND THEY LOVED HER. Born June 25, 1940 in Troup County, Mrs. Rogers was the daughter of the late Robert and Christine Hawk Ward. Ward co-starred in the Hollywood movie A Time to Sing, starring Hank Williams, Jr., Shelley Fabares, Ed Begley, and D'Urville Martin. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 85, born on September14, 1911 and passed away on April2, 1997. The Social Security Death Index includes over 200 million citizen death records. You have funeral questions, we have answers. 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. Born in Robeson County, NC on May 5, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Troy Hewett and Frances Viola (Ollie) Wilson Hewett. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Larry Moore, and Samuel Meyers; two sisters, Betty Jean Smith, and Johnnie McCloud; and three brothers, Robert, Donald and James Young. Franklin, the Ward Singers frequently toured during the 1950s. 2019 Malaco Record Group. Join a discussion and talk to others in the Sysoon community. Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremations Services, Inc. - Main. She died at home with her family by her side, due to complications from Alzheimers. Clara Ward was born on April 21, 1924 (to January 16, 1973). 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. Sysoon enables anyone to create a free online tribute for a much loved relative or friend who has passed away. What is Archives, Military records of Clara Ward at Fold3.com. The Clara Ward Singers recorded an album together on the Verve label, V-5019, The Heart, The Faith, The Soul of Clara Ward, and the Ward Singers performed their music live in Philadelphia with the city's Symphony and the Golden Voices Ensemble. The Campbell's soon moved to Atlanta to . 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. Mrs. Please, Login or Sign-up to post your comments. [more about funeral], Clara Ward at Archives.com. Clara Ward, 1925-1973, memorial tribute. The Ward Singers had been queens of the gospel circuit during the 1950s, but by the early 60s they had found a new, largely white, and more lucrative mainstream audience for their show-stopping stage act and flamboyant attire, losing much of their African American church followers in the process. We will remember him forever. At Carson-Newman College, an endowment was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning to go into missions work. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 30, 2014 at 10:30 am at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Mrs. Ward was a member of Brainerd Baptist Church where, for many years, she served in the Young Adults Sunday School Department and as secretary of the Women of Missions, The Senior Adults of the church will always remember with fondness Claras generosity in providing a 46 passenger bus which is still used primarily for travel by the group, known as the Keenagers. Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery. Every item on Calisphere has been contributed to the site by a California institution. She was also the play's musical director. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. She was followed shortly thereafter by the rest of the groupHenrietta Waddy, Esther Ford, Frances Steadman and Kitty Parhamwho formed a new group, "The Stars of Faith". Hashtag: sysoon60126146, memorial60126146, grave60126146, death, funeral, findagrave, buria , obituary, 39573c2, a Ward, obits, ssn, family. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948. They appeared on Oral Roberts' Country Roads TV special, later released as a soundtrack album. They shared the stage with Mahalia Jackson, and appeared at Carnegie Hall on Bostics program again in 1952. . This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 85, born on September 14, 1911 and passed away on April 2, 1997. October 7, 1920 - June 23, 2014. We remember Clara Ward for her considerable contributions to American gospel music, and for her many contributions to our community. By this time, gospel singer Albertina Walker formed her group, The Caravans, in 1952, following the advice of her mentor Mahalia Jackson,[1] and their group began to grow in popularity. She was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Buddy Thompson and a sister, Agnes Ann Bosworth. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward took the lead-switching style used by male gospel quartets to new heights, leaving room for spontaneous improvisation and . Sexually abused in childhood by a cousin, and relentlessly driven as prime breadwinner by her mother throughout her life, Wards life was one of constant work and little joy. Learn more about the collections in Calisphere. Medical Center since suffering a second stroke at her suburban Baldwin Hills home last week. Sysoon also contains listings for thousands of celebrity graves, making it the premier online destination for tombstone tourists. [Cover page]: "Exclusive funeral pictures. We are currently preparing a system for publishing answers. We look forward to your early visit. With Clara as lead singer and arranger, the Famous Ward Singers not only defined the female Gospel sound but set about establishing the demeanor of the female group in performance, gospel historian Horace Clarence Boyer wrote in his forward to Willa Wards 1997 book How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers. His original casket was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. SO PRAISE GOD FOR HER LEGACY THAT WILL LIVE ON IN ERIE, AND, THROUGHOUT THIS WORLD. I pray that TMH God be with you during this difficult time. Emmett Louis Till (July 25, 1941 - August 28, 1955) was an African-American teenager who was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Willa described Clara as explaining her occasional lesbian encounters as the sexual expression likely to escape her mothers notice. 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