Queens of Faith Gather to Make One Last Joyful Noise

Greater Deliverance Christian Center in Southeast Washington was filled with gospel artists and music lovers from across the area, and all were standing as the Queens of Faith came down the aisle to celebrate the group's 42nd anniversary and sing one last time.

Whether they were singing at the U.S. Capitol or in a cramped church, the women who make up the Queens of Faith mixed harmony, wardrobes and showmanship to become icons of the local gospel circuit.

And so it was expected that the Queens' retirement celebration would bring groups such as the Gospel Pearls, the Redeeming Souls, the Southern Gospel Singers, the Trumpet Kings, Nate and New Generation, Burning Bush and the Voices of Deliverance. Before the night was over, tears of joy and sadness were shed for a group that is breaking up because its members have moved away.

"We thank God for the years and the time," said Rose Thomas, one of the original members of the group, which was formed in 1967. During the concert, Thomas shared the stage with Gloria D. Chrisp, Louise Higgins, Shirley Milton, drummer John Milton and former member Anne Munson. Lorrain McCoy, who is now in a nursing home, could not attend.

"We wanted to end on top," said Chrisp, who moved back home to Rocky Mount, N.C., in 2006. "We love singing, but now it is time for me to start a new chapter in my life, because you never retire from God."

Chrisp said because members of the group are getting older and their health is declining, it became difficult to maintain a schedule of appearances.

Following their performance, group members held each other and cried in the aisle as they walked away from the microphone.

Higgins suggested later: "Perhaps we can have a reunion concert in a couple years."