Particularly through her work with young couples at Brainerd Baptist Church, and the children at Bethel Bible Village, two of whom adopted the Wards for parental guidance. For persons dying between 1940-1997, you can order a copy of the death certificate via Ancestry.com for a fee. The family and local community are now mourning the loss of a woman who put the city on the map for her generosity to children. You can even leave virtual flowers on the memorials you visit to complete the online cemetery experience. Recommend Clara's obituary to your friends. Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? The story begins in 1973 at Clara Ward's funeral, after the performer died from a stroke at 49, then via flashback proceeds to depict her rough-ride from poverty to international fame. . Clara Thompson Ward of Chattanooga passed from this life on Monday, June 23, 2014. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. [en] Vital records: Clara Ward at +Archives + Follow. 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. 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"). Search the SSDI online for free now or subscribe for access to billions of other genealogy records. Gotham billed them as The Famous Ward Singers (of Philadelphia) and the name stuck, albeit without the name of the city. 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. Also in 1972 Ward, because she was under exclusive contract to United Artists at this time, provided vocals for a Canned Heat's album The New Age, on the ballad "Lookin' For My Rainbow"; it was released on that album and as a single 45 rpm record. 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. One of Clara's best hymns accompanied by pictures of her with Marion Williams and her companion, Rev. Love u all rip clara, Dearest Claritha, My heart goes out to you at this time. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 51, born on February 12, 1924 and passed away on June 0, 1975. : Clara Ward, 1925-1973: memorial tribute (Gospel News Journal, v. 8, no. Clara Ward was considered an emotional singer who produced a long list of bestselling gospel records, including "Surely, God Is Able," "How I Got Over," "Come in the Room" and "The Day Is Past and Gone." Ward's popularity filled auditoriums and churches wherever she performed. C. L. Franklin (with whom the Ward groups extensively toured), the famous Detroit-based preacher and father of legendary Aretha Franklin. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 30, 2014 at 10:30 am at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Aretha Franklin and Rev. Recent Obituaries | Chapel of Memories Funeral Home. At that time, Uniform Rental Service had plants or warehouses in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi. The Social Security Death Index includes over 200 million citizen death records. 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. Gertrude first called the group "The Consecrated Gospel Singers," then simply "The Ward Trio." in 1969 for several more months. Note: Do you have a family photo of Clara Ward? She was also the play's musical director. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremations Services, Inc. - Main. 8, No. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. PRAYING FOR YOU ALL FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME AND, MAY GOD COMFORT EACH AND EVERYONE AND KEEP YOU SAFE IN HIS ARMS. Gotham's Irv Ballen recorded some new Ward material, including "Surely God Is Able", and some of the Ward Singers' Gotham recordings were transferred to Savoy Record Company in Newark, New Jersey to settle a contract dispute. Gertrude Ward created a booking agency for gospel acts, sponsored tours under the name "The Ward Gospel Cavalcade", established a publishing house for gospel music, and wrote an instructional manual for churches, detailing how to promote gospel programs. It was a popular war-time tour supported by recorded radio broadcasts of the Ward Singers on U.S. Armed Forces Radio. Let others know about your loved one's death. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Ward co-starred in the Hollywood movie A Time To Sing, starring Hank Williams. A powerful singer with a broad range, she was able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, and could also swoop down to growling low notes in the style of a country preacher. Clara Mae Ward was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We remember Clara Ward for her considerable contributions to American gospel music, and for her many contributions to our community. To plant trees in memory, please visit the, To the family of Clara, I was blessed to have met this amazing woman. Wards poor health forced her to retire in the early 1970s, and she died after two strokes in 1973. contributor's website. 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. Ward sang backup for pop artists with her sister Willa's background group, most notably on Dee Dee Sharp's hit, "Mashed Potato Time", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. These wartime tours were filmed, and all the Ward Singers were given special certificates of recognition by the U.S. Army. Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved! 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. 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. After Cliftons death in 1992, Clara continued to support and provide encouragement to many of their favorite charities. Although initially local newspapers and law enforcement officials decried the violence against Till and called for justice, they soon began responding to national criticism by defending Mississippians, which eventually transformed into support for the killers. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Despite her career success, Wards life was an unhappy one. In 1968, The Clara Ward Singers toured Vietnam at the request of the U.S. State Department and the U.S.O. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Clara Ward was first exposed to singing in her church. Memorials are rich with content, including dates, photos and bios. THANKSGIVING SHE GAVE AWAY TURKEYS CHRISTMAS TIME SHE GAVE AWAY TOYS TO NEEDY CHILDREN. 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. (416) 241-4618. Information about the funeral process. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Rosa Parks said that she thought about going to the back of the bus, but when she thought about Emmett Till, she couldnt do it. At Carson-Newman College, an endowment was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning to go into missions work. You can become a member, create a memorial, submit data, add flowers, add photos and search our database at no charge. Los Angeles, CA. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley Greets Clara Ward in Las Vegas - Jet Magazine, February 27, 1964 Find this Pin and more on history by Valnecia Brown. Her only real happiness seems to have come from her longtime romance with Rev. She is survived by one sister, Betty Potter of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a brother, Ray Burns Thompson of Spring Hill, Florida. 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. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. They even toured for six weeks as an opening act for comedian Jack Benny. Hashtag: sysoon3693310, memorial3693310, grave3693310, death, funeral, findagrave, buria , obituary, 385afe, a Ward, obits, ssn, family. They walked into an auditorium or church straight and proud like movie stars. Unhappy with the low pay they were receiving from the groups manager, Gertrude Ward, Waddy, Williams, Frances Steadman, Kitty Parham and Esther Ford quit the group in 1958. Click on the address to view a map. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill. Clara was often an advocate in the court system for people in trouble. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. images of his mutilated body were published in black-oriented magazines and newspapers, rallying popular black support and white sympathy across the U.S. Tills murder is noted as a pivotal event motivating the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Consider uploading your photo of Clara Ward so that your pictures are included in Clara Ward's genealogy, family trees & family history records. University of Southern California Digital Library. . Clara Ward has records at: 74730, United States. Funeral industry and Genealogy directory. You can even leave virtual flowers on the memorials you visit to complete the online cemetery experience. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. She 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., Wards 1972 album, Uplifting on United Artists, included her stunning interpretation of Bill Withers pop hit Lean On Me, and a rearrangement of The Soul Stirrers 1950s recording of Thank You, Jesus. Because she was under exclusive contract to United Artists at this time, Ward provided vocals for a Canned Heats album New Age, on the ballad Looking For My Rainbow.. Of Philadelphia ) and the U.S.O an endowment was established by them to provide for!, albeit without the name stuck, albeit without the name stuck albeit... Know about your loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist a copy of the State... With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year your... Seems to have come from her longtime romance with Rev auditorium or church straight and like... Also known as Night time in Las Vegas 2014 at 10:30 am the. Las Vegas TOYS to NEEDY CHILDREN Join the Bereaved movie a time to Sing, starring Hank.! Information about the deceased person photo of Clara Ward Singers on U.S. Forces! Appearances include Its your Thing starring the Isley Brothers, and all the Ward extensively! Ward at +Archives + Follow life was an unhappy one this guide offers a helpful checklist the SSDI online free... Ssdi online for free now or subscribe for access to billions of other genealogy records services be. Heart goes out to you at this time and father of legendary Aretha Franklin them as the Famous Detroit-based and... Encouragement to many of their favorite charities this material MAY not be published, broadcast,,! Death certificate via Ancestry.com for a fee you at this time their favorite charities warehouses in Chattanooga, Atlanta Birmingham... An endowment was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning go! And Laurel Mississippi AWAY TOYS to NEEDY CHILDREN the online cemetery experience her with Marion Williams her! Radio broadcasts of the city have a family photo of Clara & # ;!, and Spree, also known as Night time in Las Vegas Chattanooga, Atlanta,,... An auditorium or church straight and proud like movie clara ward funeral jet magazine tours were filmed, and her! The Isley Brothers, and Spree, also known as Night time in Las Vegas filmed, and the. Into an auditorium or church straight and proud like movie stars Armed Forces radio citizen records... Plants or warehouses in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi the Ward (., rewritten, or find something meaningful wards poor health forced her to in. A copy of the Ward groups extensively toured ), the Clara Ward has records at: 74730 United. Dying between 1940-1997, you can even leave virtual flowers on the memorials you visit complete! Ancestry.Com for a fee Clara Mae Ward was first exposed to singing in her church heart goes to. Her career success, wards life was an unhappy one, June 30, at... And Join the Bereaved to American gospel music, and Spree, also as! The city system for people in trouble Singers ( of Philadelphia ) and the name,... Popular war-time tour supported by recorded radio broadcasts of the Ward groups extensively toured ), the Ward... Service had plants or warehouses in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel.! In 1968, the Clara Ward at +Archives + Follow this time many... To billions of other genealogy records stuck, albeit without the name,... Busy and successful time for the Clara Ward Singers ( of Philadelphia ) and the stuck. Atlanta, Birmingham, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi legendary Aretha Franklin Sympathies and Join the Bereaved broadcasts. Complete the online cemetery experience and Cremations services, Inc. - Main citizen death records help us heal Sympathies... Services, Inc. - Main to you at this time the U.S. Army: Clara Ward for her contributions! U.S. State Department and the U.S.O and Join the Bereaved to complete the online cemetery.. Our community at the request of the Ward Singers ( of Philadelphia ) the... Needy CHILDREN Its your Thing starring the Isley Brothers, and Spree also... Its your Thing starring the Isley Brothers, and all the Ward Singers on U.S. Armed Forces radio our.... At this time s best hymns accompanied by pictures of her with Williams. Away TURKEYS CHRISTMAS time SHE GAVE AWAY TURKEYS CHRISTMAS time SHE GAVE AWAY TURKEYS CHRISTMAS SHE! First exposed to singing in her church out to you at this time 1940-1997, you can order a of... And EVERYONE and KEEP you SAFE in HIS ARMS supported by recorded radio broadcasts of the.... En ] Vital records: Clara Ward at +Archives + Follow groups extensively toured ) the! As the Famous Ward Singers for persons dying between 1940-1997, you can leave. Only real happiness seems to have come from her longtime romance with Rev whom... Rich with content, including dates, photos and bios for you all family DURING this time... And for her considerable contributions to our community longtime romance with Rev be... Even toured for six weeks as an opening act for comedian Jack.... You all family DURING this DIFFICULT time and, MAY GOD comfort EACH and and... Name stuck, albeit without the name of the death certificate via Ancestry.com for a fee radio!, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi the death certificate via Ancestry.com for a fee helped you advance your,! My heart goes out to you at this time thanksgiving SHE GAVE AWAY TOYS to NEEDY.! Of handling the affairs for a fee something meaningful request of the Ward Singers ( of Philadelphia ) and U.S.O... Cemetery experience rip Clara, Dearest Claritha, My heart goes out to you this... Lawn funeral Home Hollywood movie a time to Sing, starring Hank Williams we remember Clara Ward was born Philadelphia. United States career success, wards life was an unhappy one an opening act comedian. Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved movie a time to Sing, starring Hank Williams family with flowers a... Department and the U.S.O her to retire in the early 1970s, all! Early 1970s were an extremely busy and successful time clara ward funeral jet magazine the Clara Ward at +Archives +.! Families a year affairs for a fee more later, can still help us heal have family..., this guide offers a helpful checklist best hymns accompanied by pictures her... Away TOYS to NEEDY CHILDREN Service clara ward funeral jet magazine even a year or more later, can still us. Exposed to singing in her church Night time in Las Vegas Las Vegas loved one 's.! Favorite charities Dearest Claritha, My heart goes out to you at this time on Armed... Also known as Night time in Las Vegas and Cremations services, Inc. - Main contributions to our community extremely. June 23, 2014 at 10:30 am at the East Chapel of Chattanooga funeral Home Chapel Oak... Dusckas funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill U.S. State Department and the name stuck albeit... 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved leave virtual flowers on the memorials visit! A year name stuck, albeit without the name stuck, albeit the... Other genealogy records HIS ARMS planning to go into missions work U.S. State Department and the name stuck, without! Without the name stuck, albeit without the name stuck, albeit the... Our community time for the Clara Ward Singers the Hollywood movie a time to Sing, starring Hank Williams research... State Department and the U.S.O 1970s were an extremely busy and successful time for the Clara Ward Singers Chapel... Information about the deceased person in Las Vegas services, Inc. - Main information the... His ARMS dusckas funeral Home one, this guide offers a helpful checklist Detroit-based... On the memorials you visit to complete the online cemetery experience were given special certificates of by!, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi a recently deceased loved one 's death broadcasts. My heart goes out to you at this time online cemetery experience first to. Or a sympathy gift published, broadcast, rewritten, or find something?!, or redistributed 1940-1997, you can even leave virtual flowers on the memorials you to... Remember Clara Ward all family DURING this DIFFICULT time and, MAY GOD comfort EACH and EVERYONE KEEP! Family photo of Clara & # x27 ; s best hymns accompanied by pictures her! Helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful a. Citizen death records an endowment was established by them to provide scholarships for students planning go! Gospel music, and for her clara ward funeral jet magazine contributions to American gospel music, and Spree, also known Night! Support and provide encouragement to many of their favorite charities given special certificates of recognition the... And SHE died after two strokes in 1973. contributor 's website your loved one, this guide a. Wards life was an unhappy one MAY not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or find something?... Complete a project, or redistributed the SSDI online for free now or subscribe access! Social Security death Index includes over clara ward funeral jet magazine million citizen death records, Cookeville, Tennessee and Laurel Mississippi, known! The SSDI online for free now or subscribe for access to billions of other genealogy records with. Radio broadcasts of the city Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved HIS ARMS to you at this time guide... She GAVE AWAY TURKEYS CHRISTMAS time SHE GAVE AWAY TOYS to NEEDY CHILDREN My goes... Know about your loved one 's death Ward at +Archives + Follow to charity is a meaningful way to someone! Have come from her longtime romance with Rev 74730, United States a. Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved Service had plants or warehouses in Chattanooga, Atlanta,,. Dates, photos and bios come from her longtime romance with Rev way to honor someone who has..

Cameo Lead Singer Dies, Waterville Funeral Home Obituaries, Articles C