By EMILY KALKA
Staff writer
Local churches came together in an explosion of joyous music on Feb. 25 to honor three women considered community trailblazers in music for their annual Community Black History Program. The women - Lettie Green, Mary Brown and Linda Reed - have all served in roles within music ministries at Bethel AME Church, Central Baptist Church and St. Paul Community Church.
The program held at St. Paul’s Community Church brought in a full house and was packed with tributes, gospel music and a presentation of the evolution of gospel music.
Lettie Green was honored by her sister Norma Johnson and has spent 60 years in ministry. She graduated from Chandler High School in 1964 before attending and graduating from Central State College (now known as the University of Central Oklahoma). She also played the piano.
Green was a musician at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Chandler before returning to her home church - Bethel Africa Methodist Episcopal Church - where she served as the minister of music for over 40 years. She has also been community-oriented by singing at nursing homes, playing the piano for community events, delivering Meals on Wheels, and more.
“So what it all boils down to is this that Lettie Helen Lewis Green, as anyone can see, has lived a godly, generous, community-oriented, fulfilling life, and that Psalm 91 says he has satisfied her with long life and continues to show her his salvation,” Norma said.
Mary Brown was honored by her goddaughter, Meshell Macon. She has served in ministry at St. Paul Community Church for 62 years. Brown was heavily influenced by music as a child, Macon said, saying that music was always part of her life in some way or fashion. She studied at Latimer Music School in Tulsa, then went on to attend Rose State College and the University of Oklahoma. At all the churches she attended, Brown excelled in the music ministry, assisting whenever and wherever necessary.
“Her musical presence here at St. Paul has been evident for many years. Her talents have been proudly showcased in front of a list of spiritual leaders, dignitaries, and the like,” Macon said. “There is no wonder why her name will always and forever include the title musician.”
Barbara Slaughter honored her “second mom,” Linda Reed. Reed has been involved in the music ministry at Central Baptist Church for 40 years. Slaughter said that Reed was “bitten by the music bug” at a young age and began piano lessons at the age of six. By 13, she was playing the piano for Sunday School at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Reed attended OU, during her time there, Reed would lock herself in the piano room for hours, practicing and enhancing her gift. After marrying Pastor James E. Reed in 1981, she joined the choir at Central Baptist Church and started performing there.
“At Central Baptist Church, Linda’s singing progressed very quickly, her musical ear became more astute. She began memorizing tunes and truly became a musician,” Slaughter said. “Linda’s passions caused her to assist other nearby churches when they needed it, in addition to performing for the choir again at Central Baptist Church.”