Happy New Year Everyone.

Happy New Years Everybody!!!!

Kathy and June

Myrna Smith Passed Away Last Night

From Megan Murphy: It is with deep sadness that we inform you all that Myrna Smith passed away last night. After a difficult battle, she now will rest in peace. Personally, I would like to thank Carole Drexler who was by Myrna's side and gave her lots of TLC and support. Carole also kept us all informed on Myrna's condition and passed along our thoughts and wishes to Myrna. Thank you Carole.
http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/12/myrna-smith-has-passed-away.html

Those of us who knew Myrna appreciated her sense of humor, her beautiful spirit and her incredible voice. She has now joined that heavenly choir. May she rest in peace and may her memory live in our hearts always.


2-23-73
From Elvis On Tour


Myrna Smith, lead singer and an original member of The Sweet Inspirations, spent 8 years working with Elvis Presley on national concert tours and recordings. She sung on over 500 hit records. In the 1960s, Myrna was a high school teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey while pursing her singing career. Smith was a beloved member of the Elvis family Myrna was also song writer who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl Wilson's 1981 solo album Carl Wilson as well as a few of the songs on his 1983 solo album Youngblood.

She worked with stars from Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison and has provided the world with some of the best soulful harmonies that have ever been recorded.

How the Sweets came to be: The Sweets formed in 1967 with Estelle, Sylvia and Myrna. They were all from New Jersey originally. Sylvia was from North Carolina but as a teenager she went to New York and her sister Judy Clay, another famous soul singer, was also a part of the 1950's gospel group The Drinkard Sisters who would eventually become The Sweets.

She said of Elvis: "His voice was a lot more remarkable than it ever came off on record ... He was just a much better singer than could ever be captured...Some great singers' voices are just too big. Elvis' was like that."

Update on Myrna Smith December 24

From Sandi Pichon

As you know Hospice means the end is near. We lift Myrna up to our Lord and pray that He will be merciful to her. Her beautiful soprano voice will soon join that Heavenly choir...I ask that you pray for Myrna, and that her financial needs will be met. Thank you.
Sandi
----- Original Message -----
From: Drexler, Carole
12/23/10

Dear All:

This is a hard Email for me to write. Myrna is still in the hospital & I found out last night that hospice has been brought in. This means that dialysis treatments have been stopped and no other life support procedures will be implemented. I visited Myrna last night, it is very hard indeed to see her like this. But, I do believe this is what is best for Myrna, because for some time now she has been existing (not living), & she has been getting progressively worse. I will do my best to keep you updated. Please keep Myrna in your prayers.

Please Note: (i) Please don't send cards or mail to Myrna at the Canyon Oaks Center address at this time. Myrna's friend Diane will pick up the mail accumulated there & we will read it to Myrna. (ii) At this time, I don't know what Myrna's immediate financial needs will be, so you may want to hold off sending checks to Myrna's account at Premier America Credit Union until I know & can inform you. I do promise that they money so lovingly donated will continue to be used only for Myrna's expenses.

Carole

Update on Myrna Smith

12/16/2010

This just in from Carole Drexler

All:

Visited Myrna Sunday, she is back at Canyon Oaks, same room (address below). Thanks for all the great cards you keep sending, there were quite a lot to read to Myrna & I know it really helps her to know how many people love her & care about her. We read all of the cards to Myrna & show them to her. There were some pretty yellow flowers from fans in Belgium - thank you. Myrna sleeps much of the time & needs a lot of care as she is not able to do things for herself. Thank you to those who have sent checks to Myrna's account, she appreciate your help. The money has been & will be used for Myrna's immediate medical/care needs. Please keep Myrna in your prayers.

Carole

The address for sending cards to Myrna is:
Myrna Smith
Canyon Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Room 408A
22029 Saticoy Street
Canoga Park, CA 91303
USA

More Information Regarding Sherrill Nielsen

Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen

Good Morning to All My Friends
For all who have requested more information regarding my Friend SHERRILL (SHAUN) NIELSEN ... below is a press release from his wife Brenda.
Your friend .... Donnie
------------------------------------------------
SHERRILL (SHAUN) NIELSEN
Famous Southern Gospel Singer and Elvis Presley’s favorite singer, SHERRILL (SHAUN) NIELSEN, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 10, 2010. His devoted wife, Brenda Hall Nielsen, was by his side and held his hand as he crossed over the River Jordan.

Services will be under the direction of Moss Funeral Services, 1901 2nd Ave, N.W., Cullman, AL. The great So. Gospel Concert and Homecoming Celebration of Sherrill’s life and ministry will be held at the First Church of Nazarene, 5415 AL Hwy 157, Cullman, AL with Pastor Aaron Coffey officiating. Music, song and praise will be performed by many legends in the So. Gospel world of music.

Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen, will be flown to the great state of Texas and buried next to Sherrill and Brenda’s only child, SherRee’ Elicia Nielsen, in the Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery, in Tyler, TX.

He was born September 10, 1942, in Montgomery, AL to Virginia Evelyn Jackson and Charlie Whitaker. He graduated from Robert E. Lee in Montgomery AL and then onto Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, TN. He then proudly served his country serving in the Air Force with the Air Force Strategic Command Band, Omaha, NE.

Little did the world know what to expect when Sherrill was born. God gave him one of the most amazing tenor voices today. Sherrill started his singing career at the age of 4 singing in his local Nazarene Church in Montgomery AL, where Mom and Dad Speer attended. Sherrill started his professional music career at the tender age of 14. He won the Mr. America Youth Singer at the Coliseum in Montgomery AL. At age 15, he cut his first solo LP – A Name I Highly Treasure.

In 1961, he joined the Singing Speer Family. While with the Singing Speer Family he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. This was the stepping stone for his legendary 50 plus year career in So. Gospel Music. Sherrill teamed up with Jake Hess and formed the Illustrious Imperial Quartet, which won him another induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

In late 1966, Sherrill moved to California and re-joined the Songfellows Quartet headed up by Bob Jones, Sr. He then moved on to the Plainsmen who was working with Gov. Jimmie Davis. Performed with Tom Paul and the Glaser Brothers. Then had a solo career and later put together a group that Elvis later named VOICE. He was singing at the Grand Ole Opry when he got the call from the Elvis Presley Assn. to become Elvis’ backup singer. He stayed with Elvis, as a solo act, up until Elvis’ death in 1977.

It is well documented by Felton Jarvis, Elvis’ producer that Sherrill was Elvis’ favorite singer. In 1977, Elvis and Sherrill’s duet, “Softly As I Leave You” was nominated for a Grammy as “Duet of the Year”. Elvis always told him -
“Sherrill, God loves you, but He loves you best when you sing”.

He then joined Hovie Lister and the Sensational Statesmen. What a line up of talent, the best of the best. Hovie Lister, Doy Ott, Jim Hill, Big Chief and Sherrill. This earned him another induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Later the group transitioned into the Masters V.

In 1990, Sherrill moved to his grandfathers homeland of Denmark and stayed there for 14 years. While residing in Denmark, he began writing gospel music, he introduced Southern Gospel Music to the churches, performed concerts and traveled all over Europe. In 2004, he got a life changing e-mail from Houston TX and moved to Houston in June 2004. The life changing message was from his first love, Brenda Hall, whom he married in Dec 1963. They went their separate ways in 1967 and 40 years after the fact, the two love birds got back together, remarried and thus, he put VOICE back together.

Sherrill and Brenda performed as a duo, traveling all over the world. Sherrill just recently put together a premier gospel group “Sherrill Nielsen and VOICE, consisting of Mike Martin, Nick Fike, Sean McCaw and Sherrill.

Sherrill’s ministry has touched hearts and lives all over the world. He received two Legendary Awards for his dedication to gospel music, a Proclamation from the Governor of Alabama, and in June 2011 was scheduled to be honored by the Music City Gospel Showcase as “As Pioneer and Legendary Performer”. In March 2010, Sherrill was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.

You can read more about this amazing legend and his legacy at their website www.sherrillandbrenda.com
Preceding him in death are his grandparents, Christian Richard and Virgie Lee Jeter. His grandparents adopted him, thus, allowing him

Preceding him in death are his grandparents, Christian Richard and Virgie Lee Jeter. His grandparents adopted him, thus, allowing him to become Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen. Sherrill and Brenda had one child, a daughter, SherRee’ Elicia Nielsen, who was killed on her 20th birthday by a drunk driver.

Survivors include his wife and the love of his life, Brenda Hall Nielsen. They were first married in 1963, went their separate ways in 1967, and remarried June 2004. Sister, Sharon Stoenner, Jacksonville FL, Sister, Jane Whitaker, Windsor, CN, Brother, Steve Stoenner, Taylors, SC and Brother, Gary Whitaker, Windsor, CN. He has cousins in the Cullman area, Dr. John Nielsen, Tommy Nielsen, Christian Nielsen and their sister, Nancy Davis from Jackson MS (all children of the late Dr. Elmer and Annie Lee Nielsen). Sherrill and Brenda have many friends that may not be blood relatives but have and hold a special place in their heart. Henrik and Mette Salomon from Svendborg, Denmark are at the top of that list. Sherrill calls Henrik his son.

Visitation will be from 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 16th until 2:00 PM. The Great Southern Gospel Concert and HOMECOMING CELEBRATION of Sherrill’s life and ministry will be at 2:00 PM (immediately following the visitation). All services will be held in the Family Life Center at the First Church of Nazarene, 5415 AL Hwy 157, Cullman, AL, with Pastor Aaron Coffey officiating.

Sherrill Nielsen Passed Away

This just in from Donnie Sumner:

I regret to inform you that MY FRIEND Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen
passed away yesterday December 10 at about 11:00 A.M.
Sherrill fought a good fight and has now received his new body
I will miss MY FRIEND
Remember Brenda in your prayers
I haven't heard about the funeral arrangments yet
But Sherrill and Brenda have a home in Cullman AL
and I assume the memorial service will be in Cullman
I'll let all of my friends know as soon as I am informed
God bless you all
Your friend
Donnie

Shaun Nielsen's website is at:
http://www.sherrillandbrenda.com/

Saying Thanks to Our Troops

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who g et s it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could g et everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Wh et her you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!