Worshipful voices filled the Arts Center at Monday night’s City Council meeting as Willie Mae Kennedy was recognized for 80 years of gospel singing.
Sitting at her home the following day, with her bible on the arm of her chair, Willie Mae said she was excited for the recognition, but it’s Jesus that’s kept her going these 80 years.
“He’s still letting me sing and praise him,” she said.
Willie Mae said her grandmother would carry her to church when she was 5-years-old to sing.
“I was singing before I knew what the songs meant,” she said.
Some of her favorite songs are “Going Up Yonder,” “Take the Lord with You,” “Amazing Grace,” and “There’s a Leak in This Old Building.” She teaches these old songs to the next generation, encouraging the youth by telling them to use their talents, what God gave them.
“If you do things that are pleasing in his sight, he’ll give you a long life,” she said. “And love everybody.”
She includes a long list of Natchitoches residents among her friends, including mayors Joe Sampite, Wayne McCullen and Lee Posey.
“I’ve been here a while,” she said with a smile.
Determined to keep moving, Willie Mae sings at churches throughout the area, the NSU Folk Life Festival (where she was inducted into the Hall of Master Folk Artists) and nursing homes in Natchitoches. She is the only original living member of the gospel group, the Gospelrettes of Natchitoches.
“It’s encouraging to the people I sing to and to me,” said Willie Mae. “I asked God what he wanted me to do in my old age and he said to go out and tell people about him and sing his praises.”
Willie Mae enjoys caring for others. She graduated from the Natchitoches Technical College in nursing and worked at the hospital for 15 years.
Her children are Ronald Kennedy Sr., who works for the City and is a member of TCS singing group; Michael, who is in a band in Houston; James; Robert; Darrell; Joyce Walker and Geraldine Curry. She also has over 40 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs Willie Mae, my congratulations to you. Like Carolyn Ficklin-Strong says, I too, grew up on gospel music. My mother was in that group of people who loved gospel music and was a member of the church choir at First Baptist Church, Amulet Street. I followed in their path, being a musician, singing in the Interdenominational Choir, and the Young Adult Choir of First Baptist Church, Amulet Street along with many other choirs that I played for in the city. It was through your influence Mrs Willie Mae, my mother and others that are long gone to be with the Lord. I praise God for your being recognized in this parish for your committment to this craft of music and singing.
God bless you and keep you!
Congratulations to Ms Willie Mae Kennedy. I grew up listening to her sing with the Gospelrettes and at various other churches and events throughout Natchitoches parish. As I child, I didn’t understand the meaning of a lot of the songs but as I grew into an adult and experienced life, those songs have been some encouragement for me. God bless you and may you continue encouraging others to share their gifts thru song.
Congratulations woman of God!
Keep on sharing God and his word he so worthy of all the praise and glory . GOD bless you and keep you Joyce Kennedy
Congrats to a wonderful GOD filled lady!! Proud to be counted among her relatives. Much love. Jeep on keeping on!!