Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Oakland, July 22, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Thousands of people gathered at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California to pay their last tribute to legendary gospel singer Walter Hawkins on Wednesday morning. Apart from the friends and the family members of the late gospel singer, the memorial service witnessed the presence of large number of his followers who graced the occasion to bid their final farewell to the Grammy award-winning musical artist.

During the memorial service, the brown casket carrying the mortal remains of Walter Hawkins was kept along the left end of the stage and was decorated with flower as the people present at the Paramount Theater remembered him through his music. One of the high points of the funeral service turned out to be the section when the letter that was sent to the Hawkins family by the United States President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama was read out. In the letter, the president stated that he was extremely saddened by the demise of the iconic gospel singer who was able to touch so many lives during his lifetime and would be dearly missed by all his followers.

The memorial service of Walter Hawkins was not devoid of music as the crowd swayed and sang along the songs which were presented by the Celebration Mass Choir, which comprised of around 50 singers and was led by the celebrated gospel singer’s longtime music director Rusty Watson. Grammy award-winning gospel singer and pastor, Donnie McClurklin was graced the memorial service and enthralled the people gathered at the venue with soul-stirring rendition of the track “Stand.”