Services, Concert Held for Late Chicago Gospel Singer

Delois Barrett Campbell died Aug. 2 from complications of pneumonia

Family, friends and admirers gathered Tuesday night for a concert in honor of Chicago gospel legend Delois Barrett Campbell.

Campbell died Aug. 2 from complications of pneumonia at Advocate Trinity Hospital. She was 85 years old.

She'd been forced to stop singing in recent months due to polyps that reduced her voice to a whisper.

"She was a very kind woman, very motherly, full of wisdom and jokes and just a great person to be around," said the Rev. Otis Moss III.

Campbell was the lead singer of the Barrett Sisters, a gospel vocal group she formed with her two sisters. She and her sisters made their debut in 1941 alongside a cousin in the Barrett & Hudson Singers. Campbell was also a part of the Roberta Martin Singers throughout her career.

"The Barrett Sisters and Delois Barrett Campbell were trailblazers. One of the first gospel groups to go to Europe and all over the country, so we certainly have lost a legend," said her cousin, Skip Barrett.

Born in Chicago, Campbell was fortunate enough to grow up on the city's south side next door to two gospel legends: Mahalia Jackson and Thomas A. Dorsey, who inspired her.

Funeral and wake ceremonies will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Trinity United Church of Christ, at 400 W. 95th St.

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