Lee Andrew Williams.
Leader of national quartet gospel group, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC'S.
Lee was the son of Arzo Barnes and Cornelia Ruth Cummings. He was a Class of 1964 Salutatorian graduate of Belden High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. He served in the U. S. Army and received his Honorable Discharge. During his military career he was stationed in Austria and traveled to Greece. Upon returning home, he was employed with McGraw-Edison Manufacturing and later with Malone & Hyde and Morris Sales as a Truck Driver for many years. At a young age, he joined the New Lebanon Baptist Church in Tupelo where he sang in the Choir and played piano.
At age 6, Lee's uncle, Mitchell Thornton, who was singing with the Gospel Stars, took Lee and his 3 brothers, Willie, Robert & Frank, to form the Gospel Stars Junior. Sometime later, Mitchell Thornton formed the Spiritual QC's (Qualified Christian Singers).
After the group broke up in 1968, Lee's brother, Willie Thornton re-started the group with Lee playing Bass guitar. The group had their first album release, "Jesus Is Alive & Well" in 1996. With the release of their 2nd album, "Love Will Go All The Way" in 1998, the group was renamed Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's. This project propelled them to national stardom, allowing them to tour nearly 50 weeks a year. They recorded 6 more charting albums over the years. His group won 10 Stellar Awards, a Mississippi Trailblazer Award, Traditional Quartet of The Year Award from the Gospel Music Excellence Awards and a Soul Train Music Award nomination. Lee received the Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music from Bible Believers Christian College in California in June of 2016. He retired from performing in December of 2018 after 67 years as primary lead singer and songwriter for the group. In July of 2018, he received the Key to the City of Tupelo from the Mayor.
Married to Annie Ruth Vaughn Williams on August 1, 1969. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Tom Cumming Sr, 1 brother, Frank Williams, 1 sister, Danita Spearman and 1 grandson, LaQuintray Williams.
Survivors:
Wife: Annie Williams.
5 Daughters: Pamela Williams(Darrell), Fanesha "Shanay" Traylor(Adarius), Sonya Madden, Melissia McCoy(Patrick) and Kimberlee Ford.
5 Sons: Orlando "Sac" Williams, Carilus C. "CC" Williams, Ceasus "Javon" Williams(Shanetta), Rodrick Bailey and Roosevelt Ford(Shanna).
5 Sisters: Mary Williams, Vera Nabors, Wanda Wells(Leo), Perceta Berry(Chris) and Syrenthia Arnold(Arthur).
4 Brothers: Willie Thornton(Dorothy), Robert Thornton(Verna), T.C. Cummings(Pamela) and Willie C. Barnes.
3 Uncles: Joseph Thornton, Samuel Thornton(Bessie) and Mitchell Thornton(Marie).
Several Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren.
Lee passed after an extended battle with Alzheimer's.
Services were held Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 1PM in the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi with Pastor Amondo Adams officiating and Pastor Darrel Petties eulogist.
Leader of national quartet gospel group, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC'S.
Lee was the son of Arzo Barnes and Cornelia Ruth Cummings. He was a Class of 1964 Salutatorian graduate of Belden High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. He served in the U. S. Army and received his Honorable Discharge. During his military career he was stationed in Austria and traveled to Greece. Upon returning home, he was employed with McGraw-Edison Manufacturing and later with Malone & Hyde and Morris Sales as a Truck Driver for many years. At a young age, he joined the New Lebanon Baptist Church in Tupelo where he sang in the Choir and played piano.
At age 6, Lee's uncle, Mitchell Thornton, who was singing with the Gospel Stars, took Lee and his 3 brothers, Willie, Robert & Frank, to form the Gospel Stars Junior. Sometime later, Mitchell Thornton formed the Spiritual QC's (Qualified Christian Singers).
After the group broke up in 1968, Lee's brother, Willie Thornton re-started the group with Lee playing Bass guitar. The group had their first album release, "Jesus Is Alive & Well" in 1996. With the release of their 2nd album, "Love Will Go All The Way" in 1998, the group was renamed Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's. This project propelled them to national stardom, allowing them to tour nearly 50 weeks a year. They recorded 6 more charting albums over the years. His group won 10 Stellar Awards, a Mississippi Trailblazer Award, Traditional Quartet of The Year Award from the Gospel Music Excellence Awards and a Soul Train Music Award nomination. Lee received the Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music from Bible Believers Christian College in California in June of 2016. He retired from performing in December of 2018 after 67 years as primary lead singer and songwriter for the group. In July of 2018, he received the Key to the City of Tupelo from the Mayor.
Married to Annie Ruth Vaughn Williams on August 1, 1969. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Tom Cumming Sr, 1 brother, Frank Williams, 1 sister, Danita Spearman and 1 grandson, LaQuintray Williams.
Survivors:
Wife: Annie Williams.
5 Daughters: Pamela Williams(Darrell), Fanesha "Shanay" Traylor(Adarius), Sonya Madden, Melissia McCoy(Patrick) and Kimberlee Ford.
5 Sons: Orlando "Sac" Williams, Carilus C. "CC" Williams, Ceasus "Javon" Williams(Shanetta), Rodrick Bailey and Roosevelt Ford(Shanna).
5 Sisters: Mary Williams, Vera Nabors, Wanda Wells(Leo), Perceta Berry(Chris) and Syrenthia Arnold(Arthur).
4 Brothers: Willie Thornton(Dorothy), Robert Thornton(Verna), T.C. Cummings(Pamela) and Willie C. Barnes.
3 Uncles: Joseph Thornton, Samuel Thornton(Bessie) and Mitchell Thornton(Marie).
Several Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren.
Lee passed after an extended battle with Alzheimer's.
Services were held Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 1PM in the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi with Pastor Amondo Adams officiating and Pastor Darrel Petties eulogist.
Lee Andrew Williams.
Leader of national quartet gospel group, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC'S.
Lee was the son of Arzo Barnes and Cornelia Ruth Cummings. He was a Class of 1964 Salutatorian graduate of Belden High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. He served in the U. S. Army and received his Honorable Discharge. During his military career he was stationed in Austria and traveled to Greece. Upon returning home, he was employed with McGraw-Edison Manufacturing and later with Malone & Hyde and Morris Sales as a Truck Driver for many years. At a young age, he joined the New Lebanon Baptist Church in Tupelo where he sang in the Choir and played piano.
At age 6, Lee's uncle, Mitchell Thornton, who was singing with the Gospel Stars, took Lee and his 3 brothers, Willie, Robert & Frank, to form the Gospel Stars Junior. Sometime later, Mitchell Thornton formed the Spiritual QC's (Qualified Christian Singers).
After the group broke up in 1968, Lee's brother, Willie Thornton re-started the group with Lee playing Bass guitar. The group had their first album release, "Jesus Is Alive & Well" in 1996. With the release of their 2nd album, "Love Will Go All The Way" in 1998, the group was renamed Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's. This project propelled them to national stardom, allowing them to tour nearly 50 weeks a year. They recorded 6 more charting albums over the years. His group won 10 Stellar Awards, a Mississippi Trailblazer Award, Traditional Quartet of The Year Award from the Gospel Music Excellence Awards and a Soul Train Music Award nomination. Lee received the Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music from Bible Believers Christian College in California in June of 2016. He retired from performing in December of 2018 after 67 years as primary lead singer and songwriter for the group. In July of 2018, he received the Key to the City of Tupelo from the Mayor.
Married to Annie Ruth Vaughn Williams on August 1, 1969. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Tom Cumming Sr, 1 brother, Frank Williams, 1 sister, Danita Spearman and 1 grandson, LaQuintray Williams.
Survivors:
Wife: Annie Williams.
5 Daughters: Pamela Williams(Darrell), Fanesha "Shanay" Traylor(Adarius), Sonya Madden, Melissia McCoy(Patrick) and Kimberlee Ford.
5 Sons: Orlando "Sac" Williams, Carilus C. "CC" Williams, Ceasus "Javon" Williams(Shanetta), Rodrick Bailey and Roosevelt Ford(Shanna).
5 Sisters: Mary Williams, Vera Nabors, Wanda Wells(Leo), Perceta Berry(Chris) and Syrenthia Arnold(Arthur).
4 Brothers: Willie Thornton(Dorothy), Robert Thornton(Verna), T.C. Cummings(Pamela) and Willie C. Barnes.
3 Uncles: Joseph Thornton, Samuel Thornton(Bessie) and Mitchell Thornton(Marie).
Several Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren.
Lee passed after an extended battle with Alzheimer's.
Services were held Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 1PM in the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi with Pastor Amondo Adams officiating and Pastor Darrel Petties eulogist.
Leader of national quartet gospel group, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC'S.
Lee was the son of Arzo Barnes and Cornelia Ruth Cummings. He was a Class of 1964 Salutatorian graduate of Belden High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. He served in the U. S. Army and received his Honorable Discharge. During his military career he was stationed in Austria and traveled to Greece. Upon returning home, he was employed with McGraw-Edison Manufacturing and later with Malone & Hyde and Morris Sales as a Truck Driver for many years. At a young age, he joined the New Lebanon Baptist Church in Tupelo where he sang in the Choir and played piano.
At age 6, Lee's uncle, Mitchell Thornton, who was singing with the Gospel Stars, took Lee and his 3 brothers, Willie, Robert & Frank, to form the Gospel Stars Junior. Sometime later, Mitchell Thornton formed the Spiritual QC's (Qualified Christian Singers).
After the group broke up in 1968, Lee's brother, Willie Thornton re-started the group with Lee playing Bass guitar. The group had their first album release, "Jesus Is Alive & Well" in 1996. With the release of their 2nd album, "Love Will Go All The Way" in 1998, the group was renamed Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's. This project propelled them to national stardom, allowing them to tour nearly 50 weeks a year. They recorded 6 more charting albums over the years. His group won 10 Stellar Awards, a Mississippi Trailblazer Award, Traditional Quartet of The Year Award from the Gospel Music Excellence Awards and a Soul Train Music Award nomination. Lee received the Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music from Bible Believers Christian College in California in June of 2016. He retired from performing in December of 2018 after 67 years as primary lead singer and songwriter for the group. In July of 2018, he received the Key to the City of Tupelo from the Mayor.
Married to Annie Ruth Vaughn Williams on August 1, 1969. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Tom Cumming Sr, 1 brother, Frank Williams, 1 sister, Danita Spearman and 1 grandson, LaQuintray Williams.
Survivors:
Wife: Annie Williams.
5 Daughters: Pamela Williams(Darrell), Fanesha "Shanay" Traylor(Adarius), Sonya Madden, Melissia McCoy(Patrick) and Kimberlee Ford.
5 Sons: Orlando "Sac" Williams, Carilus C. "CC" Williams, Ceasus "Javon" Williams(Shanetta), Rodrick Bailey and Roosevelt Ford(Shanna).
5 Sisters: Mary Williams, Vera Nabors, Wanda Wells(Leo), Perceta Berry(Chris) and Syrenthia Arnold(Arthur).
4 Brothers: Willie Thornton(Dorothy), Robert Thornton(Verna), T.C. Cummings(Pamela) and Willie C. Barnes.
3 Uncles: Joseph Thornton, Samuel Thornton(Bessie) and Mitchell Thornton(Marie).
Several Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren.
Lee passed after an extended battle with Alzheimer's.
Services were held Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 1PM in the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi with Pastor Amondo Adams officiating and Pastor Darrel Petties eulogist.
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