The longtime Aliquippa resident died July 20 after an extended illness
“He was small in stature but walked in power.”
Those were the words echoed by Pastor Kim Lankford of Oasis Ministries in West Mifflin to the crowd gathered at the Church in the Round in Aliquippa, July 28, for a commemorative gospel music concert celebrating the life of Dr. Curtis Ray Lewis Sr.
Dr. Lewis, a noted preacher, psalmist, celebrated songwriter/composer, choir director, recording artist and mentor in the ministry of gospel music in the region, died July 20 at the age of 74 after an extended illness.
The homegoing celebration for Dr. Lewis was held July 29, also at the Church in the Round, Aliquippa.
Though his interest in keyboards began at the age of 4, he began his career in the early 1960s playing for the Northeastern Michigan Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ (COGIC) choir, under the direction of the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, mother of the renowned Clark sisters. Dr. Lewis became the organist for the Motown record company, and his skillful techniques caught the attention of gospel music greats. He later became the on-site musician for professor Charles Taylor, of Brooklyn, the Davis sisters and the Imperial Gospel Singers of Philadelphia. Dr. Lewis also accompanied the Meditation Singers, Rev. James Cleveland and the Gospel Chimes of Detroit.
Through a series of evangelistic services, Dr. Lewis’ musical journey led him to Aliquippa in 1962. He was invited by Pastor Melvin Clark Sr. of First COGIC to serve in full-time ministry. His 55-year commitment of love and dedicated leadership inspired his creativity and development of the signature sound he’s best known for at the Church in the Round and as state Minister of Music for the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of COGIC.
Dr. Lewis received an honorary doctorate degree from the Florida Southern College in Sacred Letters and became dean of the international music department of COGIC, as well as serving as historian, director and executive coordinator of the COGIC Heritage Singers. He was awarded the COGIC International Music Department Lifetime Achievement award. He served as consultant for Praise and Worship at Geneva College.
Dr. Lewis received the Lifetime Achievement award in gospel music in 2000, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2005. He was inducted into the Beaver County Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
Though Dr. Lewis co-founded the 300-voice Aliquippa Mass Choir, he also was the founder of numerous other choirs and ensembles throughout his career, most notably the Pittsburgh Community Choir, the Curtis Lewis and Friends Choir, and was director of the Pittsburgh Believers Convention Choir. His innovative workshops gathered pastors, music directors and aspiring psalmists who considered him a masterful musician, often referring to him as “legendary, iconic and genius.”
Dr. Sheila Hunt, First Lady at the First Baptist Church in Penn Hills, remarked, “He encouraged every musician.”
Dr. Lewis’ famous quotes, “Watch me…don’t anticipate me” and “Some songs are better caught than taught,” were remembered by audience members at the commemorative concert.
Musician and funeral director Elliott White said, “He wasn’t just renowned, but effective.”
Pastor Keith Moncrief graciously thanked Dr. Lewis’ five children and wife of 53 years, Billye Priscilla, for sharing their father and husband with Pittsburgh, Beaver County, and the country.
According to his obituary, in addition to Billye, Dr. Lewis leaves behind to cherish his memory children Carsetta (Danny) Lyles, Blake, Melva (D’Von Ricky) Massey, Curtis Eugene and Douglas, five grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and godchildren.
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