After the passing of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church’s Minister of Music, Hanq Neal last month, Houston has lost one another one of it’s most respected and loved pillars of the community, Dr. Theola Booker, who passed this passed Saturday, April 19th. The wife and mother of 3, served as Minister of Music and First Lady of Greater St. Matthews Church for more than 45 years. Now with 2 locations, her husband, Dr. Gusta Booker serves as Senior Pastor.
A former member of St. John Baptist Church on Dowling, she began playing at the tender age of eight. She has composed and arranged music for the late great James Cleveland, founder of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and has had musical affiliations with gospel recording Artist such as Margaret Dourox, V. Michael McKay, Albertina Walker, Leanne Faine and Dorothy Norwood. At the time of her passing she served as the the Director of Music, Director of Women’s Ministry and Workshop Coordinator at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. She has composed, arranged and co-produced “I’m an Heir” and “God’s Been Good” recorded by the Greater St. Matthew Mass Choir.
Other achievements include: Assistant Chapter Representative for the Houston Chapter of the GMWA, served as Coordinator at Burris Elementary Fine Arts Program, Former Faculty Member at University of Houston Music Department and Board Member for Houston based Inspire, Inc.
Viewing will be held Friday, April 25, 2014, 9am-6pm at the Greater St. Matthews Southeats Campus, 7701 Jutland. On Saturday April 26, 2014, viewing will be held at the Southwest Campus, 14919 South Main from 8-10:55am. Homegoing celebration will begin at 11:00am. Intermittent will follow to Houston Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to http://www.gsmuplift.org.
