IN LOVING MEMORY OF EVA MAE LE FEVRE  
by Judy Nelon

Eva Mae Le Fevre, a dear friend and hero to many of us will be greatly missed from the gospel music scene, but will never be forgotten. She lived a long and full life, her accomplishments have been acknowledged: the first living woman to be inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978 and later the Le Fevre’s were inducted into the Hall as a group. In 1997 she was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN and in 1985 she was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the first gospel artist with that distinction.

During the Gaither Homecoming Friends choir rehearsal, Bill Gaither asked anyone to share Eva Mae stories. Kelly Nelon Clark spent her whole life with the Le Fevres, the center of her life with her father Rex Nelon singing bass, later taking the leadership of the group, which eventually with Eva Mae’s decision to stay home with her ailing husband, Canaan Records changed the name to the Rex Nelon Singers. Eva Mae gave up the road but not for long as she was a road warrior for sure and that was where she spent the remaining of her many years. At the time of her death she was almost 92 years of age, two weeks before her passing Eva Mae told Kelly, she guessed her career was over. Eva Mae added, “That will be okay as long as the Lord takes me home.” Of course this made everyone laugh, as she was one of the funniest and most open people in gospel music. She didn’t have it in her to ever give up.

Eva Mae’s life made a significant impact drawing one of the largest Homecoming crowds to celebrate her. In the photo gallery you’ll see friends, family, truck loads of beautiful flowers, tears, hugs, smiles and many memories shared along with the gospel message that meant more to Eva Mae than anything else in her whole life.

PHOTO GALLERY

EVA MAE LE FEVRE'S LIFE AND LEGEACY CELEBRATED IN ATLANTA
by Greg Freeman

In Atlanta, GA, May 21, 2009, family, friends and fans gathered at Mount Paran Church of God to celebrate the life and legacy of one of gospel music’s most beloved figures. Eva Mae Le Fevre (1917-2009) had not only distinguished herself decades ago as a pioneer in gospel music, but her involvement in music and ministry enjoyed almost unprecedented longevity, spanning some 80 years from when she was only a child until recent health issues rendered her unable to travel and perform.

Eva Mae’s homegoing service began with a piano interlude by Mark Fuller, her pianist since 1998, and was followed by the reading of scripture and a prayer by Dr. David Cooper, Senior Pastor at Mount Paran. The Hayes Family, a group whose family harmony and traditional styling had always received praise from Eva Mae, sang, “Come and Meet Me,” a number that was most appropriate for the occasion. Eva Mae’s dear friend, Jane Cox, shared her touching story of how Eva Mae had impacted her life and why she believed God had brought them together. Eva Mae’s sons, Meurice and Mylon (writer of “Without Him”) both reflected on their mother’s love for the Lord and her passion for gospel music as well as the significance of their parents instilling these elements into their lives.

Long-time friends of Eva Mae, Bill and Gloria Gaither paid tribute to her from the podium as well as through wonderful vintage video footage of Eva Mae and the Le Fevre Trio (originally comprised of Eva Mae, her husband Urias and Urias’s brother Alphus). Mark Fuller, in the same famous manner in which Eva Mae had played, brought the house to its feet with a rousing “Keep On the Firing Line.” Moments later, he emotionally spoke of the wonderful times he had spent with Eva Mae.

Accompanied by another piano extraordinaire, Stan Whitmire, Bill Gaither and the Homecoming Friends sang a number of Eva Mae’s favorite songs, including “The Eastern Gate,” “I Will Meet You in the Morning,” “If We Never Meet Again,” “Jesus Hold My Hand,” “Farther Along” and “Mansion Over the Hilltop.” Bill shared that Eva Mae had once remarked to him that she wondered if her fellow gospel artists would come from Nashville and other cities to attend her homegoing in Atlanta when the time came, but on Thursday her friends put that question to rest! Many traveled long distances, altered their schedules and made sacrifices to attend, there was tremendous enthusiasm and sincere love for Eva Mae emulating from all those who gathered at Mount Paran Church of God to sing in her honor.

Artists included: Ben Speer, Mary Tom Speer Reid, Les Beasley, Johnny Minick, Sue and Amos Dodge, Ann Downing, Naomi Sego Reader, Willie Wynn, Calvin Newton, Joel and Labreeska Hemphill, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Janet Paschal, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Greater Vision, Jonathan Wilburn, Karen Peck Gooch, Gene McDonald, the Reggie Saddler Family, Tim and Mary Alice Lovelace, Joe Moscheo, and more!

Infusing both humor and anecdote, Dr. Paul Walker, Eva Mae’s pastor for 37 years, spoke of her commitment to Mount Paran, her consistent prayer life and his gratitude for the ways in which she had ministered to him. His message was followed by Dr. Cooper’s benediction.

“O Come, Angel Band,” the final song by the Homecoming Friends, served as a soul-stirring climax, setting many hearts on shouting ground!

Eva Mae Le Fevre was always elegant yet down to earth, kind and gracious yet plainspoken, serious about her convictions yet delightfully funny and entertaining. Indeed, gospel music lost an irreplaceable treasure, but Heaven gained so much more. As Gloria Gaither reminded us, Eva Mae is not dead. She is resting in the bosom of Jesus!

Greg Freeman is a singer, songwriter, author and the editor/publisher of SouthernEdition.com.