Roy “Mr. Malaco” Wooten

TBGB received this message courtesy of Sheilah Belle and The Belle Report:

It is with extreme sadness that we report the passing of Mr. “Malaco” Roy Wooten. We received the called here at The Belle Report around 9:40pm, Friday, June 16, 2006, that Mr. “Malaco” died just a few hours ago in a hospital Jackson, Mississippi.

On Wednesday, it was reported that he had just undergone chemotherapy and later returned to work. However sometime between then and this morning, he returned to the hospital, where he later died.

Last year Mr. Malaco was diagnosed with cancer while attending the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) National Convention in Milwaukee. The GMWA family prayers followed their beloved member as he returned to the South for medical attention. Less than a year later, and just off of chemo treatments, the faithful Wooten, still made the trip and showed up.

“Mr. Malaco” Wooten. (known as Mr. Malaco because he has been with Malaco Records since the doors opened in 1967;) has been a tremendous asset to the company. In a brief phone interview earlier this evening, D. J. Johnson, Executive Director of the Malaco Gospel Division says, “Mr. Malaco was working in Radio Promotions, R & B Promotions and even worked in sales.”

“Mr. Malaco has also been a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America since its inception. He was also the co-owner of Exclesisa Booking Agency and Promotions with his wife Esther.

The Belle Report will provide more information, as it becomes available. Look for a full press release from Malaco Records on Monday morning. Until that time, please keep Esther Wooten and her family in prayer…especially just two days before “Fathers Day.”