By Robert M. Marovich
JGM is saddened to learn of the passing of gospel singer, songwriter, and percussionist Sandra Elaine Crouch on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at age 81.
Born July 1, 1942, to Benjamin and Catherine Crouch, Sandra was the twin sister of Andrae’ Crouch. As part of the COGICs–with Billy Preston (“the fifth Beatle”), Gloria Jones (“Tainted Love”), Edna Wright (Honey Cone), and Sondra “Heartaches” Williams–the Crouch siblings sang “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” based loosely on an older COGIC hymn, into a gospel classic. Reaching prominence during the Jesus People movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sandra, Andrae’ and the Disciples reached multicultural audiences by building their gospel songs on a firm foundation of rock, folk, jazz, soul, and R&B. Together the twins would appear on international stages, on radio and television and, with Quincy Jones, on the soundtrack to the motion picture The Color Purple. They introduced such gospel chestnuts as “Soon and Very Soon,” “Bless His Holy Name,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory),” “Jesus is the Answer,” “Through It All,” “I Don’t Know Why,” “It Won’t Be Long,” and many others.
In her own right, Sandra was an outstanding singer and percussionist. She won a Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female GRAMMY in 1984 for her album, We Sing Praises. Among her best-known songs are “Completely Yes,” “Power in the Blood,” “No Greater Love,” “We Need to Hear From You,” and “Magnify the Lord.” Her tambourine work was featured prominently on several Jackson 5 hits, such as “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”
She and Andrae’ co-pastored Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California. She assumed the sole position of senior pastor upon Andrae’s passing in 2015.
Last March, Sandra Crouch attended a special Pruit Memorial Symposium at Baylor University that honored her brother’s estimable contributions to gospel music. She told attendees during a special panel discussion that she felt she was entering “Part 2” of her life, that the journey was not yet over. And it isn’t. She’s on her way to glory.
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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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I enjoyed the music of Andrae and Sandra Crouch. I bought four recordings by Andrae Crouch and one recording by Sandra Crouch. I wish they did a concert tour so that I could have seen perform live. My prayers, condolences, and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Crouch family and the church family as well.
She was gay so she could not be a preacher
Maybe you could go back and read your bible, comprehend, understand before making asinine statements. I continue to ask God to bless his broken people who continue to show their stupidity with arrogance.
So who are you God that’s his job did she not save souls did she magnify his name. And the list goes on
@Kattie Irving, as opposed to speaking on her sexuality why not address the amazing women of God who saved souls? Why not celebrate her music and many accomplishments who are you to judge , the Bible says “judge ye not less you be judged “.
I figured she was and her brother probably was too but they were great singers, songwriters, and musicians.
You gave a right to judge? You need Jesus. We have a creature satan sin going for president again, a rapist, pedophile young girls, crime boss, tax dodger, draft dodger, colluding with Putin and Russia, liar and a false prophet. So you people stop.
To understand GOD, you have to know GOD. I knew her and her brother. They were absolutely annointed. Please understand that only GOD knows the true relationship they had with HIM. I’ll always remember their gifts that came from above. Only GOD knows their standing with HIM. Will you be ready when he calls your name???🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
REST IN PEACE! MAY YOU HEAR WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT🙏🏾🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷❤️
I attended Christ Memorial Church as a teenager and song in the Chior with Sandra ands Andrea in the late 60’s I will always remember the both of them May God Continue To Give You Rest 🙏🏾❤️
Rip Sandra 🙏 I grew up listening to you and your brothers music
We grew up listening to Sandra and her brothers music. May your legacies live on and may you RIH.
RIP
My sincere condolences to the family, friends and fans all over the world.
🌎 🙏 💔
I had Sandra Crouch’s record long time ago, “We Sing Praises” album in my gospel record collection. Her songs” Completely”Yes”, “My Soul Loves Only You”, “Holy Spirit”, and otger songs, were favorites, especially the choir tgat I used to sing, “Completely Yes” abd “My soul loves only you.”. I liked Andrae Crouch’s songs too. My late mother’s song was “To God Ve the Glory”, I believe! Rest in peace, Sandra Crouch. Like your album title said, “We Sing Praises”!
God bless the Crouch family. Andre and Sandra has been a great ministry to all people. Sandra is with her other half, Bro. Andre. RIP 🙏🏼
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
REST IN PEACE SANDRA
I REALLY LOVE LISTENING TO HER SING
My condolences 🌹to the Crouch family and those who knew and loved 🥰 Ms. Sandra Crouch. 🙏🏾
I loved Sandra’ s music. Bought one of her CD. RIP💐
God loved and kepted you while you were here, rest now.because your work is DONE!
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God loved and kepted you while you were here, rest now.because your work is DONE!
May God’s love and peace restvon us all while we’re here on earth!
I was Facebook friends with Sandra on my first timeline and Facebook page. A couple of times I made a connection with her and she was very gracious and kind when she responded to me and talked to me. She was a lover of God and a lover of God’s people. Enjoy your time before the Throne of Jesus and I along with many others will see you when we’re called home. In the words of Nancy Honeytree, Heaven’s gonna be a blast.
Sandra has inspired her listeners with her music for decades Now she can rest in peace with God I know she will be missed dearly but her music still lives on throughout eternity when I became a newly born Christian she and her twin brother inspired me in my walk with Jesus
May her soul rest in eternal peace
RIP…You will be truly missed. My condolences and sincere prayers are with the Crouch family. We at Cable Missionary Baptist Church still sing the blessed music you sang. Thank you for your music and service.🙏🏽
Sandra and her brother Andre’ contributed so much to the community of gospel music and beyond. To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord.
Rest in heavenly peace. Condolences to the Crouch family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏💞💞💞💞
In year 1989 or 1990 I meant Sandra Crouch at there father church. She welcome me when first walk through the door with her pleasant smile. I remember her first women conference she had in February 13, 1990. That’s when I got saved. The bible became alive in me. Ms. Sandra help to under the bible. Thank you Child of Lord Jesus Christ. Will be greatly missed
Extending heartfelt condolences to the family..May God keep you wrapped in His loving arms as you journey through this dark hour. 🙏
R.I.P.
AT THE END OF THE DAY HER SEXUALITY IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE….FOR HER MUSIC WHICH IS WHT SHE WAS BORN TO DO BLESSED A GREAT MANY OF US……IT HELPED ME THRU MANY DARK PERIODS OF MY LIFE…IT GAVE ME STRENGTH & A WAY OUT….NOW WHTEVER HER SEXUALITY WAS & I HV MY OWN PERSPECTIVE ON HOMOSEXUALITY…….REST IN THE HEAVENS PEACE & PARADISE MS CROUCH………..✝️MS WANDA
My deepest sympathy to the Crouch family, may you join your brother in God’s heavenly choir, two gospel artists of all times, RIP ❤️🙏🎼🥀🌷🌻💐🎹🎹💽…
They Together Again.
First of all let say to the idiot that put out that lie..if ignorance were a blessing you’d be a saint…furthermore the last I checked she was married so that should shut your mouth ..which you need a Lotta prayer for..amen
Thanking God for all the lives she touched as she worked to fulfill the “great commission”. Extending my heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.
My condolences to The Crouch Family
I met Sandra at a concert at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri. She was very gracious and soulfully connected with the audience. She was anointed. I just wished she would have done another tour.
Rip to Sandra and her brother and people need to mind there own business and if u Can’t say anything nice respectful about someone then don’t say anything at all cause nobody knows who is who
As a teenager, my father pastored a church in Arleta, California just a few miles from André Crouch seniors church. Every Sunday night, We would go to their church and enjoy their radio broadcast when the choir would sing, and I would listen and watch the keyboard players and the organist and that’s where I learned how to play keyboards. I was in ministry for 42 years and now retired 10 years. I contribute a lot of my keyboard success to listening and watching and hearing the anointing in their music. Thank you Sandra and Andre for all your contributions to the work of the Lord. Even retired I play the Hammond B3 for church where I attend. Now, rest and enjoy being in the presence of the king.
RIP PASTOR SANDRA…when I think of you I will remember the anointing that was within you…the Holy Spirit that surrounded you..your bright genuine smile….oh and that cool swagg walk you had 🙂 cherished memories, until we meet again my friend 🙏
Wow what a lost, your duties are done it time for you to rest in haven with your father. Peaceful journey sis
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]
Sandra was a blessed woman of God. She was so gifted in music, teaching The Word and leading The New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ. I met Sandra and Andrae in May of 1973. We were friends all these years and I believe The San Fernando Valley and music world has lost a Champion for Christ. I can only imagine the music that she and Andrae are singing and playing on Heaven. Soon and very soon we be rejoicing with them in heaven.
[…] reported by the Journal of Gospel Music, Crouch transitioned on March 17, 2024. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page of New Christ […]