In Memoriam

In Memoriam : Albertina Walker, Queen of Gospel, passes away at 81

Grammy-winning singer Albertina Walker, who was known as the “Queen of Gospel,” has died at age 81.

Published

16 years ago

October 9, 2010

UVM Staff

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Grammy-winning singer Albertina Walker, who was known as the “Queen of Gospel,” has died at age 81.

Albertina Walker dies

Close friend and WVON radio host Pam Morris says Walker died Friday morning of respiratory failure in at RML Specialty Hospital in Chicago.

Living legend

Morris says Walker was “a living legend” who was responsible for launching more than a dozen careers of gospel artists.

Walker formed her own gospel group, the Caravans, as a young woman and was a protégé of gospel star Mahalia Jackson.

U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush called Walker a voice for the civil rights movement. He says her music was “a healing balm to those who struggled for justice.”

Walker was lifelong Chicago resident and member of the West Point Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.