Gospel singer Olivia McClurkin, sister of Pastor Donnie McClurkin, & singer in the McClurkin Project, passed away November 4th after a long battle with cancer.
Pain Eases with Each Second of Praise
Los Angeles, CA – One of gospel music’s most powerful singers, Donnie McClurkin and his family mourns the loss of their sister, Olivia McClurkin. The second oldest sibling of seven children succumbed to a nine year battle with cancer on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Not only will this day be recorded in the history books for the nomination of America’s first African American President, but it will be recorded in the hearts of McClurkin’s family and friends as the day she made her transition.
McClurkin was a dynamic vocalist who recorded with her siblings on two McClurkin Family Projects (Zomba Records), along with singing background for such artists as pop star Whitney Houston, gospel artists Pastor Andrae Crouch, Ron Kenoly and others.
Olivia McClurkin leaves behind a grandmother, mother, father, two brothers, four sisters, three daughters, nine grandchildren and a host of friends.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Olivia McClurkin’s Home Going Service
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Perfecting Faith Church
311 N. Main Street
Freeport, NY 11520
(516) 223-8300
NO FLOWERS PLEASE
The McClurkin Project – We Praise You (Live)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McClurkin family.
Peanut,
You were someone very special to me. The many days and nights we spent sharing our faith with each other is something I will cherish forever. Most people only knew your amazing voice. Few had the opportunity to know the real you; and I was blessed to be one of those people.
I was the first person whose advice you sought when asked to sing with Whitney Houston; and from there I watched how God elevated you and made your name great among men.
Thank you for being the god-mother of my only daughter and spending time with her as a child. Thank you for inviting me into your home and life and exposing me to a world I would have never known without you.
Thank you for your advice and love over the years. You will forever live in my heart. I love you as my own sister.
Your friend,
Anthony.
Dear McClurkin family:
I met Olivia when she came to a crusade that was held at The International Fellowship Family, the church we attend in Portland, OR. My son, daughter and I were completely impacted by this wonderful woman of God. She embraced us with great love at a time when we were still healing from a time of a brokenness and a wilderness experience. She spoke into the lives of my children and we are forever changed because of her. Our prayers are with you, her family and rejoice with you also knowing that our grief is not without hope. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Olivia is in her room and the day that I get to go home, I am going to visit her in her room. Your sister in love and through the blood, Dianna J. Faubion
Even thoe it’s been years since you lost your loved ones I know that the pain is still very fresh. I lost my mom, nine months ago doesn’t seem that I will ever move from this pain.oh how I miss my mom.
Dear Pastor McClurkin and family,
My prayers and praises are being sent up for the life and faith of your beloved Olivia! She was truly an inspiration to so many, including myself. May I simply offer to you that Olivia is resting in the arms and love of our Lord and Saviour. Our Lord has promised that we can see our loved ones again and he cannot tell an untruth because he is the truth. So as time progreses everytime you think of Olivia, her face, her smile, her faith, you will be moved to work harder for our God! Remember, seek him more in praise, and worship as you study yourselves to be approved, until the time when you will see her again Our Saviour is the truth! Love, Minister Brenda Brown