Tribute to Gertrude Ward- "The Storm Is Passing Over"

Few people have heard the mother of Clara & Willa Ward, Gertrude Ward, speak, and MANY have never heard Gertrude Ward sing, and with the idea from my godfather, I have decided to add a song of Gertrude singing, in which she speaks prior.

Twenty years prior to this recording, Gertrude Ward had surgery on her throat, and as she frequently stated, "It effected the voice that I used to sing...but the Lord said to 'be faithful unto Me and I'll give you a crown of life."

Here, you will hear the song titled "The Storm Is Passing Over."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gertrude
• Ward
• Clara
• Singers
• Willa
• Storm
• Is
• Passing
• Over
• Black
• Gospel
• Spiritual
• Philly
• Encouragement
• religious
• soul

[simon4186]

Sing it now, sing it! As I always like to say, there would would be no rock and roll, soul, or Motown without gospel. SIMON4186

[Rowoches]

@simon4186: Yes indeed. Mahalia Jackson said the same thing also.

[simon4186]

So what I'm unclear on is:

1) the date of Mrs. Ward's operation on her throat.

And also--- 2) the lead singer on the Clara Ward Singer's version of "He'll Never Let Go My Hand". Any information leading to the solving of this case would be greatly appreciated. SIMON4186

[Rowoches]

@simon4186: Good morning to you! Unfortunately, I do not know the date of Gertrude Wards' surgery, but I believe it was during the 1940's or 1950's. Second, the lead singer for the Clara Ward Specials' song, "He'll Never Let Go My Hand" is the late Thelma Jackson, who is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites! I hope that this has helped in one way or another.

[SuperSLIMGOODY1]

LORD GIVE IT UP TO MOTHER GERTRUDE.....THE HAIR STLES BACK THEN WERE FIERCE..AND BACK THEN IT WASNT WHAT U SOUND LIKE VOCALLY..IT WAS THE MESSAGE....

[Rowoches]

@SuperSLIMGOODY1: Very true.

[simon4186]

I didn't know Mrs. Ward, but I do believe that she was a mean little old lady. I also feel that she really and truly loved God. And finally,her singing... Uh, well.... All I can say about it is that I listen to this song a few times a week so that's telling in itself. SIMON4186

[EvangelistAllen]

@Rowoches In Tony Heilbut's book, The Gospel Sound, he mentioned that Mother Ward had a goiter removed "many years ago." The book came out in 1975 and she passed in 1981 so her surgery probably did occur in the '40s or '50s.

[simon4186]

The thing about this, next to the message, is the fact that she is singing totally uninhibited and giving it herbest, and she must have had some idea of how she sounded. She's singing avout God and I can hear her faith in His greatness and His realness. It (the song) has grown on me.

[jddrew1000]

Gert sang poorly but if you a ol time lover, it's about the heart not the voice all the time