Mattie Moss Clark was a gospel choir director, composer, arranger, and the mother of the famous Clark Sisters. She was also the longest-serving International Minister of Music for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Pentecostal denomination with a strong tradition of choral singing. She is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern gospel music, as she introduced three-part harmony and complex vocal arrangements to the genre. She also wrote and recorded hundreds of songs, some of which became gospel classics, such as “I Can Do All Things Through Christ” and “Is My Living in Vain”.
However, behind her musical achievements and influence, Clark also faced many challenges and hardships in her personal life. She endured an abusive marriage, a divorce, a stroke, and a chronic illness that eventually claimed her life. In this article, we will explore how Mattie Moss Clark died and what legacy she left behind.
Early Life and Career
Mattie Moss Clark was born on March 26, 1925, in Selma, Alabama, as the seventh of nine children to ministers Fred John Moss and Mattie Juliet Walker. She showed musical talent from an early age, as she began playing piano at six and became the accompanist for her mother’s church services at ten. She also received classical music and choral training at Selma University after high school.
In 1947, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, to join her sister Sybil Burke. There, she became a member of the Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ and later the Bailey Temple COGIC, where she served as the Minister of Music. She also married Elder Elbert Clark in 1952 and had six children with him: Leo Henry Cullum Jr., Denise “Niecy” Clark Bradford, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard.
In 1958, she made history by recording “Going to Heaven to Meet the King” with the Southwest Michigan State Choir of the COGIC, becoming one of the first to teach and conduct a mass choir composed of members from different churches. She received three gold albums with the choir and went on to record over 50 albums in her career. She also formed her own group with her five daughters, who became known as the Clark Sisters.
Personal Struggles and Health Issues
Despite her success and popularity in the gospel music scene, Mattie Moss Clark also faced many difficulties in her personal life. One of them was her abusive marriage to Elder Elbert Clark, who reportedly beat her and cheated on her. The couple divorced in 1973 after 21 years of marriage.
Another challenge was her health condition. Clark suffered from diabetes, a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Diabetes can cause various complications, such as nerve damage, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and vision loss.
Clark experienced some of these complications in her later years. In 1991, she had a stroke that paralyzed her left side and impaired her speech. She also had to undergo dialysis for kidney failure and had several amputations due to gangrene.
Death and Legacy
Despite her failing health, Clark continued to record music until the last year of her life. She also remained active in the COGIC as the International Minister of Music until her death.
On September 22, 1994, Mattie Moss Clark died at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, at the age of 69. She succumbed to complications from diabetes after being hospitalized for several weeks.
Her funeral was held at Bailey Cathedral COGIC on September 30, 1994. Thousands of people attended the service, including many gospel artists and celebrities. Her daughters sang some of her songs as a tribute to their mother.
Clark was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Her grave is marked by a large monument that reads “Dr. Mattie Moss Clark: The Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music”.
Mattie Moss Clark’s legacy lives on through her music and her family. Her songs are still sung by choirs and artists around the world. Her daughters continue to perform as the Clark Sisters and have won several awards for their gospel music. Her grandchildren have also followed in her footsteps and pursued careers in music.
Mattie Moss Clark is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in gospel music history. She is credited with revolutionizing the genre with her innovative style and technique. She is also honored as a trailblazer for women in ministry and music.
According to Wikipedia, she has been inducted into several halls of fame, such as the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. She has also received numerous awards and honors, such as the Stellar Award for Lifetime Achievement, the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America Living Legend Award.
Mattie Moss Clark was a gospel legend who left a lasting impact on the world with her music and her faith. She overcame many obstacles and challenges in her life and used them as inspiration for her songs. She also inspired generations of singers and musicians with her talent and vision. She was a woman of God who used her gifts to glorify Him and bless others. She was a mother of contemporary gospel music who died from diabetes.
