Shirley Alfred Gary's Obituary
On a brisk day, November 27,1945 in Gould, Arkansas, Mary Artensly Reed had no idea what a remarkable child she would give birth to and the lives he would deeply touch. Shirley Gary was the eldest of 9 children who lived with their grandmother Trudy Reed and mother Mary for the first 12 years of his childhood. As a newborn he was given the nickname “Us-ins Baby” by his grandmother as a term of endearment. Later in his childhood, Brother Gary moved to Arizona, Indiana, and then back to Arizona before eventually settling in California. While living in Arkansas he and his brother, Leonard, were rather mischievous and were told they could not go outside and play in the snow; but since they were such obedient young men and knew better than to go against their Mother Mary or their Grandmother Trudy, they decided to make a hole in the wall and bring the snow inside. While visiting their grandmother, the boys would often climb on top of the house and jump off. However, they did not want their little sister, Linda to feel left out so they would have their mother’s only daughter climb up on top of the house and jump off with them. When their mother found out she scolded them for trying to kill her only daughter. It was in San Diego that Brother Gary’s music ministry would begin at Greater Israelite Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Harvey Wright Jessie. His ministry had a few hiccups along the way and maybe a game or two of cops and robbers with Elder Grace and Elder Gray (shhh, that was supposed to be a secret). Elder Jessie would consistently shoo Brother Gary off the piano and he would get back on. Eventually, it would become a working relationship that produced a sound like no other. The Israelite Choir was a force to be reckoned with and one of the best choirs that one would venture to say in the whole world (but that might be a little biased). In 1967 Brother Gary formed the Beams of Faith, a tightknit group whose harmonies could not be rivaled. The Beams of the Faith would often travel all over the United States singing and praising the Lord. The original members of the group were lead singers Margaret Ann Hayes, Carolyn Campbell and background vocals; Dennis Sanders, Yevette Brown, Linda Anderson, Theresa West, and occasionally, Carlton Pearson and Jannie Anderson. While under Superintendent Jessie’s leadership, Brother Gary was also responsible for the district music ministry; and the Inter-State Fellowship music ministry; with a rotation between San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson; Las Vegas, NV was eventually added to the fellowship changing the name to the Tri-State Fellowship. A Life in Music Ministry It was while Brother Gary was at the Inter-State fellowship that a young lady by the name of Mary Ann Payne caught his eye. Brother Gary was so smitten by this young lady that he often miss a Sunday or two due to him traveling to Arizona to see her. Therefore, at the strong urging of Elder Jessie, Brother Gary and Sister Payne moved up the date of their wedding; and were united in the home of Elder Jessie and Sister Jessie and Elder and Sister Robert Grace as their witness. Around the late 70’s early 80’s Brother Gary decided that it was time for a change and changed his group name from the Beams of Faith to the Chosen Evangelistic Singers (Funny Fact his god-Son Tommy Davis Jr also named his group Chosen). Just like the Beams Faith the Chosen had a unique sound of their own and could be heard up and down the California coast. Shirley Gary and Chosen annually traveled to Blythe, CA and Las Vegas, NV with, Jason Brown, and many more choirs and singing groups. The trips were filled with fun and fellowship that everyone looked forward to. As time and seasons changed Brother Gary eventually join forces with his 43rd Street family at Faith Chapel Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Roy Dixon. The 43rd street gang was a tight knit group that knew how to do things in epic proportions. From massive senior choir concerts; to praising the Lord like there was no tomorrow; and their down-home family picnics. When the Lord blessed Faith Chapel to move to 4999 Holly Drive, their explosive way of doing things did not end. It was there that Brother Gary and the Faith Chapel Choir moved to the final rounds of the McDonald Gospel Fest Choir competition. While Brother Gary’s membership remained at Faith Chapel, he also assisted other churches within San Diego with their music ministry such as St Stephen’s C.O.G.I.C., Good Samaritan, and many more. Brother Gary was also blessed to assist with the music ministry of Shiloh Church of God In Christ under Elder Michael Henderson. While there, he continued until he ultimately retired his music ministry, where he was sent off with a ton of love. Before Brother Gary officially retired from music ministry in October 2018 Brother Gary gave one final concert and let it be known to Elder Bailey (the new Pastor of Shiloh) that he would be moving his ministry to Bishop Johnny McCaleb at New Beginnings C.O.G.I.C., as the commute to Oceanside was become too much for him. On Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Minister of Music Shirley Gary with his loving wife Mary Gary by his side looked up to heaven and walked into his Loving Savior’s Arms. He is waiting in heaven for his wife Mary Ann Gary. Daughter, Robin Lemon (Joseph Jr); Grandsons: Joseph Lemon III (Cynthia), Alexander K. T. Lemon; and Granddaughter: Ananda J. Lemon. His siblings: Leonard Gary (Dorthey), Linda Pearman (Jessie), Shawn Blakely (Dorthey), Willie Hoskins Jr. His Aunt Eva Dixon. In addition, also leaves his Honorary Daughters: Curley Palmer (Donald), Sarah Carter (Ray), Rochelle Gates, Stacie Marshall; Godson Tommy Davis Jr and Robert Burton. A ton of nieces, nephews, cousins, bonus grandbabies, friends and his music ministry family.
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