TBGB learned from Linwood Heath, Eric Scott Reed and Charlie Horner that the great Margaret Allison, organizer of the famed Angelic Gospel Singers, went home to be with the Lord this morning, July 30 at 4:45 a.m. in Philadelphia, PA.

Ms. Allison’s eldest granddaughter, Monica Allison, confirmed the sad news.

Monica asks that all cards and condolences should be sent to:

4937 Catharine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143

“Gospel Memories” will pay tribute to Ms. Allison during its September 7 show by rebroadcasting the interview we conducted with her some years ago. She was a lovely person and a gifted singer. I, for one, will miss her.

Check out a well-written biography and great photos of the Angelic Gospel Singers on Charlie and Pam Horner’s www.classicurbanharmony.net.

UPDATE: this is the remembrance created by Monica Allison:

Margaret “Babe” Allison passed away on Wednesday July 30, 2008 in Philadelphia PA. She was born September 25, 1921 in McCormick, SC. Babe, as she was known, formed The Angelic Gospel Singers with sister Josephine McDowell, Ella Mae Morris and Lucille Shird based on a dream she had in 1944. The group gained notoriety in 1947 with the classic, “Touch Me Lord Jesus” In 1950, the group recorded with the Dixie Hummingbirds. In addition they sang with Mahalia Jackson, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Slim and the Supreme Angels, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and many others.

Her legacy includes songs such as: the original composition of “Glory to the Newborn King” which is a Christmas Classic, “This Old Building Keeps on Leaning”, “I Hope It Won’t Be This Way” which was written by her daughter in law, Barbara Allison, “If You Can’t Help Me,”, and most recently, “Thank You For My Storms”, which was released on her latest and last CD, Touch Me Again.

Babe spent 74 out of her 86 years in gospel music. She was the eldest living female gospel artist still traveling and performing. Her legacy will be her music. Her life’s story was in the title of her songs. Babe was instrumental in endowing others with strength and courage through her music. She was the elegant lady who will always be known for her beautiful smile and demeanor. Her faith in God and His promises to her were unwavering.

Margaret Allison leaves to mourn her son, Melvin Floyd; his wife, Scarlette Floyd; daughter in law, Barbara Allison; brother, Robert Wells; 3 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

There will be no funeral, but a Memorial Service will be held Saturday Aug 9, 2008 at The North American Motor Inn, 444 City Line Ave, Philadelphia PA, 11am to 3pm.

Babe, you will be surely missed by millions of loyal fans both here and abroad. May you now rest in God’s loving and caring arms, your race has been won.

12 Comments

  1. Afi Scruggs August 11, 2008 at 8:02 pm - Reply

    I just learned that Margaret Allison died. Her song, “Sweet Home”, is a classic. I remember hearing it when I was a teenager in Nashville, Tenn.

    I perform it often in church services. She will be missed.

  2. Anonymous August 12, 2008 at 2:34 am - Reply

    WHEN I LEARN OF MARGARET ALLISON
    DEATH I WAS VERY HURT.I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO TALK TO HER AT CONCERTS
    BUT I REALLY ENJOYED HER SINGER.I
    OWN ALL OF HER RECORDS AN CDS.ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS WAS IT COULD
    HAVE BEEN THE OTHER WAY.I PERFORM
    IT A LOT IN MY CHURCH SOLO AN WITH
    THE CHOIR.SHE WILL BE MISS BY ME A
    LOT.

  3. Anonymous August 21, 2008 at 12:05 am - Reply

    As the son of the late Ken Wormack of Fayetteville, NC, one the the premier gospel promoters in the southeast, I was blessed to see and work with Mrs. Allison on several occasions. She was truly a genuine soul and a blessing. She will definitely be missed.

    Rev. Kenneth Wormack & Family
    Durham, NC

  4. Anonymous October 28, 2008 at 4:32 am - Reply

    who is mahalia jackson’ son? the one that sings just a closer walk with thee. is he her son?

  5. Bob Marovich October 28, 2008 at 3:07 pm - Reply

    You may be thinking of Brother John Sellers. While Mahalia didn’t give birth to him, she was like a mother to him in his formative years.

  6. -Tim November 17, 2008 at 8:06 pm - Reply

    I was most excited to finally meet and shake hands with Ms Margaret during the Quartet Showcase, at the GMWA Convention held last decade in Philadelphia at the Penna Convention Centere. Her smile and response brighten the rest of evening! She seemed tickled that this ‘young whipper-snapper’, both liked her music and was making a fuss about finally meeting her. I wish I taken the time to vist her during her last few wekks with us all when I had the chance. Well, I’m living to live again and I look forward to meeting her again in that Great Glad Morning! Sweet Home!

    -Tim Wicks
    Gospel Hiway Eleven
    1110 AM

  7. Anonymous January 25, 2009 at 8:43 pm - Reply

    My family and I were blessed to have met Margaret Allison. She allowed us to ride with her to a concert in Raleigh, NC. What a sublime time of singing and worship! Afterwards, we broke bread at a local resturant. We kept in touch by phone and cards for the next couple of years. She was an outstanding Christian and a one of a kind person. We continue to love and miss her.

  8. Anonymous April 18, 2009 at 11:28 pm - Reply

    After seraching for Touch Me Lord Jesus and I decided to try to find how Margaret Allison was doing. I was saddedned to learn she had passed.

  9. Anonymous April 17, 2010 at 2:02 am - Reply

    We all love Sis. Margaret Allison here in Philadelphia. I spent sometime with her at the Mercy Hospital a couple weeks before she died and it was sad. Sad that she had a son that was a jehovah witness that did not even honor his mother in death. He lived right across from the hospital and wouldn’t even go see her. When the nursing home called and said she past (oh thats where he had put for the last 2 weeks of her life)he didn’t even go. He called the funeral home and told them to CREMATE HER. All these years singing gospel music and your son send you out like that. Thank GOD he couldn’t touch her soul.

    • Robin December 4, 2019 at 10:37 pm - Reply

      How horrible but thanks for answering the mystery of how a gospel legend wasn’t funeralized in a church.

  10. Fred July 9, 2017 at 10:42 pm - Reply

    This woman give hope to my soul when I more needed. Alfred from Argentina.

  11. Glenda Rugley August 1, 2020 at 1:27 pm - Reply

    I did not know Mrs. Allisin had passed. She was one of the greatest gospel music singer I’ve ever listen to. I really didn’t know she had so many recordings. I notice some of the songs she sings is like telling her testimony and I love it. Her singing didn’t seem as though she was performing for awards, but she was singing and living Christ like for her reward. Very talented woman to be able to sing, played her own music and then get on stage and perform. May she rest in peace and now truly missed, but her music will still be played and enjoyed in my house.

Leave A Comment

Written by : Bob Marovich

Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.