Stellar winning artist Brenda Waters passes

Mentor To Gospel Stars Yolanda Adams And Others

Veteran Gospel Star Brenda Waters Has Died

Memorial And Homegoing Service Planned

Houston , TX - Brenda Faye Waters, a Stellar Award winning gospel artist, died on Tuesday, March 17, 2005 @ 3:15 p.m. – ten days after her birthday. She had a coronary during her therapy session. She suffered a stroke in January and had been hospitalized and undergoing physical therapy since that time. "On her birthday my son sang her `Itsy Bitsy Spider' over the telephone and she got a kick out of that," says Waters' daughter, Hedreich Nichols zon Reichert, who was at her home in Switzerland when she heard the news of her mother's passing.

Condolences have poured in from Waters' friends. "As a child I listened to Brenda's unique ability to arrange vocals as well as her creative approach to songwriting," Grammy-nominated producer Donald Lawrence reflects. "I never imagined we would meet and become the close friends we were...she definitely inspired my creative approach to songwriting and I will always love her!"

Legendary soprano Sara Jordan Powell says, "Brenda Waters, what a great spirit! Her laughter was always sunny and her presence in my life was positively impacting. Her musical gifts and talents were unique and extraordinarily awe-inspiring. I will always have many wonderful and pleasant memories of times shared with Brenda Faye Waters."

Waters' former label mate at Crystal Rose Records, Ricky Dillard, says, "Brenda Waters - in my book - was the Chenaniah of the 21st century. A minstrel who was skillful and knowledgeable of her craft. Anointed to manage and build music ministry. The kingdom of our Lord will miss this servant holding up the musical wall."

An only child, Waters was born March 7th circa 1950 in Alexandra , LA. Her parents moved the family to Chicago when Waters was a child and finally relocated to Houston when she was eight years old. She first sang in the Progressive Baptist Church Youth Choir when she was twelve and was active in various local theater productions. Her big break came in 1967 when she earned the role of Miss Money in the hit black musical version of "Hello Dolly" that starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway.

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