It is with heavy heart that TBGB reports the passing of Margaret Aikens-Jenkins. She transitioned from labor to reward on March 6, 2009 in Hawthorne, California.
Her daughter, Marie Wakefield, said that Ms. Jenkins’ funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 17th at 11:00 AM at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ at 3045 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016.
The photo above was taken in 2007: Marie Wakefield (left) with Margaret Aikens- Jenkins (right).
Raised in Chicago, Jenkins was a gospel songwriter, music publisher, owner of the Mag-Oll and New record labels with Ollie Lafayette, and gospel singer (with the Meltones and Ladies of Song). Her sister Celeste Melton Scott worked for Mahalia Jackson; Jenkins penned Mahalia’s “A Spring in Galilee,” with arrangement by colleague and friend Kenneth Woods, Jr.
Early in its career, the Helen Robinson Youth Choir recorded on the Mag-Oll label and sang a number of Jenkins’ songs, including “Thy Grace is Sufficient for Me” and “The Only Hope We Have.”
The Meltones (named for the sisters’ maiden name of Melton) were a popular singing group in Chicago during the early 1960s. The Ladies of Song were formed by Celeste and Margaret with friend Robbie Preston Williams, mother of famed organist Billy Preston.
Marie Wakefield notes that “there is a page on the Lorraine Jackson Foundation website where you can donate money in Mom’s name for children of cancer victims. The Foundation’s primary mission is to provide scholarships for secondary education for children who have lost a parent to breast cancer. Click below to see the scholarship information.”
The Lorraine Jackson Foundation site is:
http://www.pearlsofhope.com/Jenkins.htm
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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.
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What an inspirational and richly historical blog! Thank you for creating this. You have yourself a new follower :o)!
Thank you, Rachael! My pleasure! Welcome!
We loved you,Aunt Margaret.
Yes, we loved you Great Aunt Margaret
I ill be posting some of Margaret Aikens’ compositions on EBay this week. The sheet music is original and not photocopied. I Found the Way of Life, Though You’re Reeling and Rocking (Hold on to Jesus), The Just Shall Live By Faith, The Shepherd is calling, Ride Out the Storm, and All is Well.
I don’t know if my other message went through or not. I have original compositions of Margaret Aikens that I will make available on EBay this week.
Diane this is Margaret’s granddaughter can you pls send me those original compositions of my Grandmother’s music
Candace Wakefield