Williams, Marion (1927-1994), was an outstanding African American gospel singer. Williams was a star performer during the golden age of gospel music from 1945 to the 1960’s, along with such singers as Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Clara Ward.
Williams was known for the emotional force of her singing and the exceptional range of her voice, which covered four octaves. Her singing influenced the development of rock music and soul music in the United States. She recorded many gospel hits, including “How I Got Over,” “It’s Getting Late in the Evening,” “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow,” and “Must I Be to Judgment Brought?”
Williams was born on Aug. 29, 1927, in Miami, Florida. She began singing at an early age and quit school at the age of 14 to help support her family. Eventually, while still a teen-ager, she earned a reputation as Miami’s finest gospel singer. Williams’s big break came in 1946, when Clara Ward and her mother, Gertrude, heard Williams sing in Philadelphia and offered her a job. In 1947, Williams became a member of The Famous Ward Singers. She quickly established herself as the group’s outstanding vocalist.
Williams sang with the Ward Singers until 1958, when she and other members of the group left to form the Stars of Faith. The group inspired and performed in Black Nativity (1961), the first gospel musical. The show was a hit on Broadway and made a triumphant tour of Europe for three years. Williams began a career as a soloist in 1965, touring throughout the United States, Africa, and Europe for several years. Williams died on July 2, 1994.
