Vera Jean Eskridge Jenkins: 1933-2009

Press Release from Grace Media Services: (thanks to Chicago’s Gregory Gay for sharing this information with TBGB).

Beloved Gospel music pioneer Vera Jean Eskridge Jenkins goes home to be with the Lord – March 21, 2009

Announcement – The legendary Vera Jean Jenkins passed March 21, 2009.

(GMSNewsChannel) Gospel music’s legendary Vera Jean Eskridge Jenkins’ symphony of life began on January 13, 1933 when she was born to beloved parents Luetta & Eugene Eskridge in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Vera began her gospel training as a musician at King Solomon Baptist Church in North Little Rock as a very young girl. In her late teens and early twenties, she became the musician, and an original vocalist, for the famous Loving Sisters.

In the early 1960’s, Vera moved her family to Minneapolis, and became the pianist for Bethesda Baptist Church while continuing to tour with the Loving Sisters. In 1963, she recorded her first single called “The Free Gift of God,” which she recorded with the Brewerettes. She left touring with the Loving Sisters later that year following the tragic death of daughter Kathy Brewer. She later became a member and musician at North Central Baptist Church were she formed the Angelic Chorus, which was a choir comprised of many different people from the Twin Cities.

After her stint with the Loving Sisters, Vera toured for a while with the Staple Singers as both pianist and vocalist. She then started many vocal groups such as the Cheeriteers, which was a men’s vocal group, and the Cheerettes, a women’s group. From there she also started the Charlemettes and the Muscettes, female groups for which Vera played and wrote music for their albums.

In 1974, Vera became one of the first gospel music announcers for KUXL’s Notes of Love radio show. In 1976, Vera won the Minnesota State Fair talent contest hands down. By 1977, Vera left KUXL and signed on as a gospel announcer for KMOJ, which had just debuted on the airways.

During this time Vera, along with Roland Wilson, started working extensively with the Brewerettes and the Angelic Chorus, winning numerous awards. They were booked at many venues in the Twin Cities and nationwide. In 1978, Vera’s composition of “I’m So Glad to Be In Service One More Time” was recorded by James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America in Constitution Hall, Washington, DC. Vera also wrote a very successful play called From Earth to Heaven , which ran for two years.

In the 1980s, Vera did a lot of solo work with The Ordway, opening for acts such as Doc Severson from the Tonight Show, and Betty Buckley from the television show, “Eight is Enough.” She opened for other groups such as Sweet Honey In The Rock, and the Charlie Daniels Band.

During the 1990s, Vera continued to perform, although her health started to weaken. She began to explore her other artistic gifts such as pottery, painting, and knitting. Vera was an excellent down-home cook, which she would pass on with or without the recipient’s consent. If she caught you in the kitchen, the next thing you knew you were making hot water corn bread. She also made a mean Kentucky butter pound cake. Also in the 1990s, Vera became a member of El Bethel Baptist Church where she started the El Bethel Inspirational Choir and the Harvest Convention. After that she hosted many different musical events and taught music classes for children.

In 2000 Vera retired from music and turned it over to her children but she would sing with them on occasion. She performed with Danny Brewer, Carlus Brown, and Anthony Brewer with Augsburg College’s Evolution of Gospel. Most of all, “Mother,” as she was affectionately called by her children, was a faithful prayer warrior. Vera was also involved in foreign ministry. She passionately loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her family, and her loving friends. Her song will be deeply, deeply missed.