See our terms of use for more tips. Tills murder is noted as a pivotal event motivating the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Tags: gravesite, grave, cemetery, crematorium, funeral, genealogy, memorial, burial place, flowers, urn, cremation, remains, funeral, family tree, candles, sympathy gift, photo album, tombstone, headstone, death, dead people, past, find a grave, cemetery location, locate a grave, grave locator, missing, missing people, missing persons, wanted, most wanted, lost people, dead parents, dead childrens, brother, daughter, ancestry. She died at home with her family by her side, due to complications from Alzheimer's. Preceded in death by her husband Timothy F. Ward who served in 4 different branches in the military. In turn, she greatly influenced the young Aretha Franklin, with whose father, the Reverend C.L. Sysoon is a free resource for finding the final resting places of famous folks, friends and family members and contains listings for thousands of celebrity graves, making it the premier online destination for tombstone tourists. 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. We will remember him forever. You can even leave 'virtual flowers' on the memorials you visit to complete the online cemetery experience. One of Clara's best hymns accompanied by pictures of her with Marion Williams and her companion, Rev. In 1949, having expanded the lineup to include singers Henrietta Waddy and Marion Williams, the group traveled to Los Angeles and cut their first records for the Miltone label. 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. 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. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Hashtag: sysoon60126146, memorial60126146, grave60126146, death, funeral, findagrave, buria , obituary, 39573c2, a Ward, obits, ssn, family. Search the SSDI online for free now or subscribe for access to billions of other genealogy records. 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? Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel singer who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. We will remember him forever. View our statement on digital primary resources. Sysoon memorials are rich with content, including dates, photos and bios. We look forward to your early visit. Read our full statement and check out our toolkit to #StopHIVTogether here: https://l8r.it/HnSa, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union-Wade advocates for Black trans rights at NAACP Image Awards In 1968, The Clara Ward Singers toured Vietnam at the request of the U.S. State Department and the U.S.O. We are amplifying the voices and experiences of people who have been criminalized based on their HIV status. THANKSGIVING SHE GAVE AWAY TURKEYS CHRISTMAS TIME SHE GAVE AWAY TOYS TO NEEDY CHILDREN. 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. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. I extend my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences in the loss of your loved one. Clara spent much time in the Franklin home and, along with Mahalia Jackson (another close Franklin family friend), mentored Aretha. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. She is survived by one sister, Betty Potter of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a brother, Ray Burns Thompson of Spring Hill, Florida. Your privacy is important to us! . This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 85, born on September14, 1911 and passed away on April2, 1997. Her marriage ended after only one year. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery. Recent Obituaries | Chapel of Memories Funeral Home. Recommend Clara's obituary to your friends. The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, after making a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that year. She died at home with her family by her side, due to complications from Alzheimers. The groups performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song Packin Up, may have been condemned by some purists as clowning, but was wildly popular with their audiences. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. contributor's website. 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. 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. Ways to honor Clara Ward's life and legacy. That same year, Ward recorded an album in Copenhagen, Denmark on the Philips label, Walk a Mile in my Shoes, which included the title song, other pop songs such as California Dreaming, and a few gospel tunes. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 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. In 1968, Ward and her singers toured Vietnam at the request of the United States State Department and the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO). 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. Williams singing helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948. Attention: Death verified by Social security index. The album was later reissued on the Capitols budget Pickwick label, minus one song. By 1951, the group was formally recording for Savoy and continued doing so for the next 11 years. A memorial service for Clara Ward. Click on the address to view a map. In 1998, the 32 Clara Ward Legends of American Music Series Gospel Singers stamp was issued by the United States Post Office. [2] Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947. . 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. Norwalk, CA 90650. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. We look forward to your early visit. 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.. 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 vamping by each member of the group while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to step forward in songs such as Surely, God Is Able, which was among the first million-selling gospel hits, Packin Up, and How I Got Over, which she wrote, and was one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire. . We recommend you include the following information in your citation. Family members said she left a lasting impact on the families and children she helped. 1911, More information Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. Death date: 0 June, 1975, Sunday. You know, if anybody asked her for anything she would give it. Two more strokes followed: one listed as "minor" during a recording session at her home in December 1972;[6] another on January 9, 1973, which left Ward in a coma.[3]. Financial hardships caused her and her family to move 19 times before her adulthood. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 85, born on September 14, 1911 and passed away on April 2, 1997. Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill. 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. 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 . 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. 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". Clara was often an advocate in the court system for people in trouble. 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. Institution: University of Southern California Digital Library. Ward welcomed thousands to see her home ten years ago during an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She was cast as a waitress in a Nashville, Tennessee cafeteria who inspires a young singer, played by Hank Williams, Jr., to pursue his dream of becoming a country recording artist. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara Ward please visit our. Family members said that. She was well known for her love of community service and was the founder of the Youth Development Center. A year later, the Ward Singers toured from Philadelphia to California, and even appeared on television in Hollywood. The trial attracted a vast amount of press attention. Clara and The Center were featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Clara Mae Ward was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara E Ward, 83, born on June 28, 1913 and passed away on July 7, 1996. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948. Search the SSDI online for free now or subscribe for access to billions of other genealogy records. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. She sounds like she was an amazing woman. A true blessing to the Erie community. 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. View the latest documents, pictures, photos and images of or upload the files of your loved one. 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. Address and location of Clara Ward which have been published. [Cover page]: "Exclusive funeral pictures. Though Clara Ward's birthday has been erroneously reported on the Internet as "August 21, 1924", according to her sister, Willa Ward, Clara's birthday was April 21, 1924. SHE LOVED CHILDREN AND THEY LOVED HER. With millions of names, it's an invaluable tool for genealogists and history buffs. Clara Ward, 1925-1973: memorial tribute, 1973. All rights reserved. Mrs. Ward was born in Louisa, Kentucky was one of five children of Jacob and Ida Hayes Thompson. We will . Ward co-starred in the Hollywood movie A Time To Sing, starring Hank Williams. Accordingly, stars such as Marion Williams and Frances Steadman not only had to accept second billing and lesser pay for their work, but pay their employers rent out of their earnings. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. She was a member of East Newnan Baptist Church and had lived in Grantville for the past 10 years. She was thrilled someone did that for her. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Login or Sign-up to show all important data, death records and obituaries absolutely for free! 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. [1] Aretha Franklin and Rev. Sexually abused in childhood by a cousin and relentlessly driven as prime breadwinner by her mother throughout her life, Clara's life was one of constant work and little joy. Despite her career success, Wards life was an unhappy one. Clara Thompson Ward of Chattanooga passed from this life on Monday, June 23, 2014. 2019 Malaco Record Group. This memorial website was created in memory of Clara Ward, 51, born on February 12, 1924 and passed away on June 0, 1975. Part of the renovations made during Extreme Makeover was the extension of the Youth Development Center. Address and location of Clara Ward which have been published. 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