RIP: Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid – Choir Director for Fellowship Chicago, GMAC Mass Choir

JGM mourns the passing of Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid, one of the finest gospel choir directors of all time. She poured her heart, soul, and entire body into directing. She took care of her friends and family, and fought the good fight until the end. She passed away two days short of her 95th birthday. A celebration had been planned to mark the occasion.

Evans-Reid came to Chicago from Tennessee as a young adult and helped her brother, the Reverend Dr. Clay Evans, found Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. she remained a vital part of its music ministry for some seven decades. She was also the director of the Gospel Music According to Chicago (GMAC) Mass Choir, which performs traditional hymns and gospels of the African American church and includes many current and former gospel artists in its ranks.

To quote my late friend Eugene Smith about Roberta Martin, if “Mama Lou” doesn’t get into heaven, the rest of us can just stop and forget it. May she rest in heavenly peace. Her earthly work is completed and it’s time for her eternal reward.

For more information about Mama Lou, please watch this interview I did with her on Rev. Harold Bailey’s PCC Network: