Mattie Moss Clark facts for kids

Mattie Moss Clark (born Mattie Juliet Moss; March 26, 1925 – September 22, 1994) was an amazing American gospel choir director. She was also the mother of The Clark Sisters, a famous gospel singing group. She served for a very long time as the International Minister of Music for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).

Mattie Moss Clark changed gospel music. She used three-part harmonies for soprano, alto, and tenor voices. Before her, gospel music often used one or two parts. Her way of arranging music became very popular for gospel choirs.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Mattie Juliet Moss was born in Selma, Alabama, on March 26, 1925. She was the seventh of nine children. Her parents, Fred John Moss and Mattie Juliet Walker, were ministers.

Mattie started playing the piano when she was just six years old. By the age of twelve, she was already the musician for her mother's church services. She also traveled with her mother to play at special mission services. This love for music and travel was passed on to her daughter, Twinkie.

After finishing high school, Mattie went to Selma University. There, she studied classical music and learned how to lead choirs. In 1947, she moved to Detroit to live with her sister, Sybil Burke. She joined the Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. She soon became the Minister of Music there. She also served as Minister of Music for the Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Cathedral Church of God in Christ. Soon, many churches wanted her to train their choirs.

A Career in Gospel Music

In 1958, Mattie Moss Clark made history. She recorded a song called "Going to Heaven to Meet the King." She recorded it with the Southwest Michigan State Choir. This was special because it was one of the first times someone taught and led a large choir. This choir had members from many different churches.

She earned three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir. A gold album means many copies were sold! She wrote and arranged hundreds of songs. She also recorded over 50 albums during her career. Mattie Moss Clark also directed the Cadillac Motor Company's Christmas choir for 11 years. She led large community choirs for important events like the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners.

Founding the Gospel Music Workshop of America

In early 1968, Mattie Moss Clark and Elma Hendricks organized a big singing event. It was called Sing-A-Rama and took place in Detroit. They put together a huge choir with 1,000 voices. They invited the famous gospel singer, Reverend James Cleveland, as a special guest.

Reverend Cleveland loved the music and teaching classes. He told Mattie that he wanted to create a similar event. He thought about calling it the Music Workshop of America. Mattie suggested adding "Gospel" to the name. This would let people know it was only about gospel music.

Reverend Cleveland quickly started planning. The first Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) convention happened in August 1968. It was held at the King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit. The main idea was to keep gospel music alive and help new talent shine.

Establishing the Clark Conservatory of Music

In 1979, Mattie Moss Clark started the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit. This school became one of the most respected music schools in the country. In 1981, Trinity College in Pennsylvania gave her a special award. She received the degree of Doctor of Humanities. This was a very high honor.

After Bishop Bailey passed away in 1985, she continued her work. She remained the State Minister of Music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1. She attended Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ.

Family and Legacy

Mattie Moss Clark was married twice. With her first husband, Leo Henry Cullum Sr., she had two children. Their names were Leo Henry Cullum, Jr. and Jacqueline Lenita "Jacky". After their marriage ended, she married Elder Elbert Clark in 1952. With him, she had four more children: Denise Darchell, Elbernita, Dorinda Grace, and Karen Valencia. The Clarks separated in 1973.

Dr. Clark was a great mentor to her daughters. She had them sing in her church choir. In 1973, shortly after her second marriage ended, she helped her daughters form The Clark Sisters. This group became very famous in gospel music. After almost ten years, Mattie passed the leadership of the group to her daughter, Twinkie.

Later Years and Passing

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mattie Moss Clark's health began to get worse. She had diabetes, which is a condition that affects blood sugar. Because of her health, she had one of her legs amputated. She also had a stroke, which meant she needed a wheelchair.

Even with her health challenges, Mattie Moss Clark kept recording music. She continued until the last year of her life. She passed away on September 22, 1994, at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. She was 69 years old. She was buried at Roseland Park Cemetery in Oakland County, Michigan.

Mattie Moss Clark's amazing gospel singing legacy lives on. Her grandchildren, like Kierra Sheard, J. Drew Sheard, Angel Chisholm, Lorenzo, Larry, and Derrick (from the Clark Brothers), continue her musical journey. Her nephews, Bill Moss Jr. and J. Moss, are also part of the music world.

In 2020, actress Aunjanue Ellis played Mattie Moss Clark in a TV movie. It was called The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Many fans, critics, and even the Clark Sisters themselves praised her performance.