Rev. Clay Evans, Gospel Music Icon and Civil Rights Leader, Dies

Gospel music artist, civil rights activist, and Founder of the influential Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, the Rev. Clay Evans has died on November 27. He was 94 years-old. Evans' death was announced Monday in a social media post by the Rev. Charles Jenkins, who in 2000 succeeded Evans as pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side. Evans led the church for 50 years.
"He will forever be known as a civil rights leader (who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Jesse Jackson), gospel music pioneer, civic leader, community staple, and trusted counselor to all including presidents, governors, mayors, and anyone in need of advice," Jenkins said in a Facebook post.
As a Gospel music singer, Evans released his first musical project in 1984, What He's Done For Me with Savoy Records. His latest album, It's Me Again, was released in 2006 by Meek Records. All-in-all, he has had eleven albums that have charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart over the course of his career. He is also "responsible for launching the careers of 93 people, including Mother Consuella York, the first female to be ordained in the Baptist denomination of Chicago," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Evans received a nomination for the Best Gospel Album at the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards.
In 1965, Evans joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., to promote the civil rights movement in Chicago. In 1971 they founded the Operation PUSH coalition to encourage black self-help. Evans served as chairman of the organization from 1971 and 1976 and became its chairman emeritus.
Relatives said Rev. Evans is survived by his wife, Lutha Mae; his daughters Gail Claudette Pye and Faith Evans, and sons Michael and Ralph. Another daughter, Diane, died before Rev. Evans.
Jenkins said he is scheduled to lie in state from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, with a celebration of his life to follow. A visitation is planned from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 7, with another celebration to follow.
Tags : rev clay evans clay evans clay evans death clay evans funeral charles jenkins clay evans and the fellowship choir
Hot Trends
-
Ross King Mourns the Loss of His Wife Staci After Courageous Battle with Cancer
-
“Shout To The Lord” by House of Worship Featuring Cece Winans & Darlene Zschech Releases Aug 22
-
Brentwood Police Launch Preliminary Investigation Into Michael Tait Following Abuse Allegations
-
Michael W. Smith Announces “Beyond The Far Horizon Tour” & Releases New Music Video
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Chuck Girard of Christian Band Love Song Dies at 81
-
MercyMe Collaborates with Country Music Superstar Walker Hayes on a New Version of "Oh Death"
-
Pussycat Doll's Kaya Jones Shares Faith Journey With Debut Christian Album "The Royal Collection"
-
Chart Rewind: MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine” Tops Christian Charts in August 2000
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
The Final Season: New Film "The Senior" Tells A True Story of Redemption and Resolve
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Max Lucado Announces New Book "Tame Your Thoughts"
Most Popular
-
Ross King Mourns the Loss of His Wife Staci After Courageous Battle with Cancer
-
“Shout To The Lord” by House of Worship Featuring Cece Winans & Darlene Zschech Releases Aug 22
-
Brentwood Police Launch Preliminary Investigation Into Michael Tait Following Abuse Allegations
-
Michael W. Smith Announces “Beyond The Far Horizon Tour” & Releases New Music Video
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Chuck Girard of Christian Band Love Song Dies at 81
-
MercyMe Collaborates with Country Music Superstar Walker Hayes on a New Version of "Oh Death"
-
Pussycat Doll's Kaya Jones Shares Faith Journey With Debut Christian Album "The Royal Collection"
-
Chart Rewind: MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine” Tops Christian Charts in August 2000
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
The Final Season: New Film "The Senior" Tells A True Story of Redemption and Resolve
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Max Lucado Announces New Book "Tame Your Thoughts"