Grammy-Award Winning Gospel Singer Walter Hawkins Dies

Jul 12 | by YBF

Legendary gospel singer Walter Hawkins passed away Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Hawkins was a composer, pastor, and Grammy award winner.

Read on for more of his accomplishments...

Hawkins was born in Oakland and studied for his divinity degree at the Univeristy of California, Berkeley. While there, he recorded his first album called "Do Your Best" in 1972. The next year, he founded the Love Center Church in Oakland. Throughout the 1980's, Hawkins recorded numerous CD's and earned nine Grammy nominations along the way.

His "The Lord's Prayer" won a Grammy in 1980 and he also performed on the Grammy award show that year. In 1990, Hawkins released "Love Alive III", which spent 34 weeks on top of the Billboard Charts and sold over 1 million copies.

Hawkins recorded songs such as "The Lord's Prayer", "Goin' Up Yonder", "Thank You (perhaps one of the most popular gospel songs) ", and "Changed", which was was sung at Oprah's Legends Ball. BET paid tribute to Hawkins and his family during the 2003 BET Awards.

His funeral plans are still in the works....

Categories:

News
R.I.P.

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Comments

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Those of you that saw the

Those of you that saw the Celebration on GMC. Tramaine kept calling her daughter Trystan on stage. she refused. Does she have an hatred against her mother. The next day at the funeral she was standing next to Daniel. She looked like she was out of it. She also looked like she was pregnant.

by Jesse
1:52 pm - Nov 20, '10

we 'd better pull it

we 'd better pull it in.......... "grow up" and take responsibility 4 ur own actions ! ! ! if u say that u love GOD then don't play games with him so many people r living @ 1234 dumb street/4567 ignorant blvd/8910 wishy washy ln /u'd better pull it in (REPENT AND BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSIONS OF SIN AND U WILL RECIEVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST ! ACTS 2:38

by mike speight
2:05 pm - Jul 23, '10

we just got 2 pull it in !

we just got 2 pull it in ! all of us must "grow up" & take resposnsibility 4 our own actions ! ! !

by Anonymous
1:59 pm - Jul 23, '10

It is time for the Church to

It is time for the Church to stop supporting these gay Gospel (Good News) artists. It is time for the true Body of Christ to step up and be counted. Homosexuality has infiltrated our Black Churches for years if not for centuries! Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand! Stop supporting homosexuality with all of your might - again I say repent....................

by Anonymous
3:24 pm - Jul 20, '10

you sound like an extimes

you sound like an extimes reader. Amen

by Anonymous
9:32 am - Jul 21, '10

EX Times sorry

by Anonymous
9:34 am - Jul 21, '10

Im going up a yonder to be my

Im going up a yonder to be my Lord! God Bless and Keep the Hawkins Family!

by Anonymous
4:51 pm - Jul 20, '10

I remember when I used to

I remember when I used to live in Camden, New Jersey when we (youth) members of the Tenth Baptist Church (Jay Allen Nimmo - Pastor) and Camden High students wanted to have the Hawkins Family come to Camden. The whole family came to Camden High School for a concert and the mayor gave the family the key to the city for that day. I just hope and pray that God will use that service for souls to be saved and repent and people will turn from their wicked waysssssss! Remember the Word says: 'Be not deceived............. God bless the Hawkins Family!

by Anonymous
3:14 pm - Jul 20, '10

Rest in peace...what a

Rest in peace...what a talented man we've lost.

by oduroyal
9:09 pm - Jul 17, '10

RIP Bishop Hawkins

by Anonymous
4:28 am - Jul 16, '10

Was Bishop Hawkins gay?

by Anonymous
4:27 am - Jul 16, '10

RIP

by Mila
9:35 pm - Jul 13, '10

I love his music, as well as

I love his music, as well as Tramaine's... Sad sad news. RIP Mr. Hawkins. God Bless the family.

by 1Sound
3:45 pm - Jul 13, '10

First I'd like to pay my

First I'd like to pay my respects to the Hawkins family. I'm so sorry for your loss! I find it absolutely appalling that some would speak ill of someone who can no longer defend himself. Even if AIDS were the reason for his death, who's business is it?!!! Everyone in the end will have to give an account for their life(judgment), what they said, how they said it, what they did and how they did it.So what he did or didn't do is none of our business if it didn't hurt anyone, that's between him and the Almighty!All we should be doing is appreciating this man for his gift, his life's work and how effective he was in ministry! Too often we try to point out other people's flaws or faults without doing any self examination. This man shared his gift with the world and all some can think about is how he died? There will never be another Walter Hawkins and as far as I'm concerned all this gossip about his personal life is nonsense...

by Kallah
11:24 pm - Jul 12, '10

AN INTERRACIAL friends MECCA

AN INTERRACIAL friends MECCA ---- R i c h M e e t i n g* C o m ---- WHERE LOVE IS COLOR BLIND. Go and have a try! AN INTER RACIAL friends MECCA ---- R i c h M e e t i n g * C o m ---- WHERE LOVE IS COLOR BLIND. Go and have a try!

by Anonymous
10:17 pm - Jul 12, '10

RIP Bishop Hawkins

by L.A. Lady, Valentine's Day '78
9:49 pm - Jul 12, '10

RIP Mr. Hawkins!

by Naddy08
8:32 pm - Jul 12, '10

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by ehrbzxbesr
9:39 pm - Jul 12, '10

God Bless your soul Pastor

God Bless your soul Pastor Hawkins. RIP.

by SYLTHEDEAL
5:34 pm - Jul 12, '10

Aww, man! One of gospel

Aww, man! One of gospel music's greats! RIP

by Let's Be Real
4:53 pm - Jul 12, '10

RIP Bishop Hawkins!

by Anonymous
2:52 pm - Jul 12, '10

R.I.P. Walter Hawkins. He was

R.I.P. Walter Hawkins. He was one of the greats.

by MarMar
1:13 pm - Jul 12, '10

RiP Bishop Walter Hawkins!!!!

RiP Bishop Walter Hawkins!!!! Praying for the Hawkins family!!! Walter Hawkins wrote one the best songs in Gospel Music "Thank You Lord For All You've Done For Me"

by Anonymous
12:47 pm - Jul 12, '10

singing going up on yonder

*singing* going up on yonder to be with my Lord... see ya in due time Hawkins. my uncle (who also passed of cancer & was a pastor) loved u! im sure he's lookn for u =)

by myMAMAsaid
12:44 pm - Jul 12, '10

R.I.P. Walter Hawkins

by Brina
12:09 pm - Jul 12, '10

RIP Mr Hawkins

by Mamma Mia -Where is the 'Put in a love Song' video?
11:30 am - Jul 12, '10

Very sad...R.I.P. Mr.

Very sad...R.I.P. Mr. Hawkins, my heart goes out to his family.

by Marine Wife
11:26 am - Jul 12, '10

Thank you for reporting this

Thank you for reporting this NaTasha! This is why I love YBF! @BECKY And yes he did pass away from cancer NOT AIDS....you should be ashamed of yourself trying to defame the character of this man and is family legacy

by kita
11:07 am - Jul 12, '10

Ok, well said! Some ppl are

Ok, well said! Some ppl are just ignorant & like to start lies up for no reason!

by Anonymous
2:53 pm - Jul 12, '10

HE DID NOT DIE OF PANCREATIC

HE DID NOT DIE OF PANCREATIC CANCER, HE DIED OF AIDS. THEY ALWAYS BLAME ONE OF THE CANCER'S, USUALLY IT'S BRAIN CANCER. SECONDLY, HE WAS A BUTT BANGER...............'LOVE CENTER'????? LOVE CENTER IS A CHURCH SPECIFICALLY FOR FUDGE PACKERS AND CARPET MUNCHERS. IN FACT, SYLVESTER'S (CROSS DRESSING DISCO ERA SINGER) FUNERAL WAS HELD THERE.

by BECKY
10:59 am - Jul 12, '10

Becky, You're on to something

Becky, You're on to something - the TRUTH! When people give account of their lives at the appointed time, then they'll have the revelation straight from the mouth of God that verbally denyingt the Lord is not the only way to deny Him. Many have died from AIDS under the guise of "cancer" and other AIDS related illnesses. There's so much more that could be told, however, time doesn't permit. God gives people over to reprobate minds because they choose to reject the truth. It's all about the Truth as revealed in the Word of God, not perversion of the Truth - because people want to live in the pleasure of the lusts of their flesh/sin. See Revelation 21:5-8. God bless the overcomers.

by Anonymous
1:01 pm - Jul 13, '10

Lets hope that the events for

Lets hope that the events for the dedication for Walter Hawkins will not become a showcase of big headed celebrities and that the Spirit of God will bring conviction to many heart and souls. I am so tired seeing Black effiminate men conducting our Church services and particularly Bobby Jones. For a man to have been in Christ all of these years - he has not grown spiritually to point of presenting himself as a real and true man of God! Come quickly Lord Jesus.

by Anonymous
3:20 pm - Jul 20, '10

Clearly you did not know this

Clearly you did not know this man in any way. And for you to state that this man died of aids, is even more clear that you are not close to his family or the situation. Love Center was a church that accpeted any and everyone regardless of race gender, political views or background. I know all of this because Walter (as I call him) is my cousin, and i rasied by his sister Carol. He was a true man of God, and He did die of Cancer. Get yo facts right.

by Anonymous
12:07 pm - Jul 12, '10

No you get it right! I'm not

No you get it right! I'm not even saying he was not a Man of God. But you know as well as all of Oakland that Walter was involved for years in homosexuality. Stop lying to the people of God. That's why people are going to hell , not because of being gay but not admitting wrong. God said Homosexuality is wrong, do you dispute that? You are defending a man who had a real struggle with being gay. He hung around nothing but gay men and women and you dare lie on this page and say this is all made up!!Shame on you! If it was my mother, father, sister, brother and there were in the life of homosexuality I would tell them the truth! Sorry but that's how he lived, that's how he carried it, that's the acts he did. So don't get mad at us because facts are brought to light. Your cousin Walter was a great man in his own right, in his music, etc. but he will also be remembered by his own sinful deeds of homosexuality. Sorry but right is right. God said it's wrong and you and Walter can't change the Word Of God. Homosexuality, no matter who, is not of God , Per God!!!!!!

by Anonymous
6:18 pm - Jul 26, '10

I too heard that Walter was

I too heard that Walter was gay. This may explains why Tramaine left him. I don't blame her. I also was told that Yvette Flunder married Walter's cousin Shirley Miller. How sickening and let me tell you God is not pleased with this. What did he teach the people at Love Center, how to be gay?

by Anonymous
3:29 pm - Sep 24, '10

Thank you. I love the Hawkins

Thank you. I love the Hawkins family. I met Edwin in the 70's and Walter at Mother Langston's homegoing. I love his family, Shirley Miller, Yvette Flunder, and the Love Center family. I praise God that Walter and the Love Center family brought justice, radically inclusivity, and the gospel (good news) to the church and to the world. If only the embittered and embarrased would taste and see and know that the Lord is good they would have only praise for the Lord and for the gift that he gave us, and took back unto himself, in the person of Walter Hawkins. God bless the Hawkins family.

by Chaplain PJ
9:03 am - Jul 18, '10

Thanks for setting the idiot

Thanks for setting the idiot straight, no respect for the dead & spreading filthy lies...smh!

by Anonymous
2:51 pm - Jul 12, '10

THANK YOU THANK YOU LORD FOR

THANK YOU THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL YOU 'VE DONE FOR ME~

by phantastical
10:50 am - Jul 12, '10

RIP!!!

by HOTNESS
10:50 am - Jul 12, '10

I absolutely loved, loved his

I absolutely loved, loved his music. Wow!

by Anonymous
10:46 am - Jul 12, '10

RIP. Thank You for blessing

RIP. Thank You for blessing us with your music.

by chillchic
10:34 am - Jul 12, '10

RIP

by jamz00
10:34 am - Jul 12, '10

RIP Walter Hawkins. Natasha I

RIP Walter Hawkins. Natasha I think it's extremely bogus that you're just reporting this but we needed to learn about the Dream's ugly ass cheating first thing.

by Yvette
10:33 am - Jul 12, '10

Um, boo. ARE YOU SERIOUS???

Um, boo. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? In case you didn't notice--this is a GOSSIP site. Not CNN like Natasha always says. What other gossip site reported this? NONE. So I applaud her for taking her influence seriously and reporting this at all. But people like you find something wrong with EVERY thing no matter what. Gosh! If she's so bogus, LEAVE. THANK YOU Natasha for keeping us informed about necessary and important things in our community such as this. Real talk.

by Jasmine
11:11 am - Jul 12, '10

RIP

by lanubian
10:32 am - Jul 12, '10

Wow, I am from Oakland and

Wow, I am from Oakland and attended the Love Center Church. Very sad news. RIP Bishop Hawkins.

by No B*tch
10:31 am - Jul 12, '10

I too heard Walter was gay.

I too heard Walter was gay. Also, a friend of mine went to Love Center a few years ago and said there was no spirit in the church. Walter was teaching people how to speak in tongues. Thats a gift from God. Whos pastoring now. Are the people still there or did they leave? praying fro the Hawkins family.

by Jesse
8:30 pm - Oct 25, '10