The month of October in the year of 2010 is one that will
not be forgotten. Two giants in their respective fields made their transitions both of whom I knew. One I knew very well. The sense of loss after a loved one is sometimes hard to overcome and when multiple occurrences happen restoration in more challenging. O but thanks be to God for grace, mercy and knowing how much each one of us can bear.
On October 8th 2010, Albertina Walker the "Queen of Gospel" made her transition. "Tina" as she was affectionately called was more than just the queen of Gospel. She was a star maker, humanitarian, and a down to earth individual who you could touch. Albertina Walker loved the Church, Gospel Music, and the Gospel Music industry. At this time, I'm not going to list all of the things that she accomplished. I'll say this there will never be another "Queen of Gospel" like Albertina Walker and the Queen that passed the crown to her Mahalia Jackson both of whom hailed from Chicago. Gospel music is one of the best things to come out of this great city. The history of the proliferation of Gospel music comes directly through Chicago with such giants as Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, Roberta Martin Kenneth Morris, and a host of others all of whom helped to shape the foundation of Albertina Walker.
I had the privilege and honor to speak to her regularly being a member of Gospel Music Workshop of America and the vice president of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild. She was always at every major affair and attend the GMWA convention religiously. She encouraged the founder of the organization the late Reverend James Cleveland to start the organization. Her support of the GMWA was unyielding. Throughout my 15 years as a member of the GMWA Alberina probably did not know my name but she called me baby and that was good enough for me because she always smiled when I came around. Now that smile and her not knowing my name was not fake, when I got married in 2004 she did not attend the ceremony but she showed my family love with a generous gift. Three years later in 2007 when daughter Morgan was born she again showed her love and blessed us with another generous gift. I can't tell you a specific reason why she blessed us. Albertina was just that kind of person.
I made it to Chicago to look at her and say thank you one last time. My heart was very heavy as I stood there thanking God for knowing her. Albertina gave me a tremendous opportunity to produce a tribute of her life from photographs that was one of my most treasured moments with the Queen. Each year at the Gospel Festival in Chicago, I would see her smiling and would go to her just to hear her say "I'm Still Here." Yes Albertina you will always be in my heart. God Bless You Queen Albertina.
God does what he does, in the way that he does and no one can question his actions or his wisdom. God doesn't make mistakes. Two weeks later on Friday October 22, 2010. Bishop Arthur M. Brazier quietly went to sleep. Not since the passing of my beloved grandfather Jesse McGee Bey had I felt such a tremendous loss. Bishop Brazier I honored and respected as a man and my pastor.
The Apostolic Church of God where Bishop Brazier was pastor for 48 years changed my life. I remember like yesterday after becoming a member of the Church, it wasn't two weeks later that the head of the Church engineering staff saw me in the Church corridor and asked are you Reggie Miles? I said Yes, He went on to say "your reputation precedes you and we have something for you to do in the Church." The engineer took me inside the television audio control room and boldly told me. "This is where you will be working!" I was so stunned and overwhelmed at the hand of God working in my life at that moment I said, Yes and faithfully manned that post for 8 years becoming a qualified audio engineer.Now Bishop Brazier is a very special pastor. The Apostolic Church of God has over 20,000 members. He was a good shepherd. Many people would say "with so many members how can he be a good pastor?" Bishop Brazier made it a point to return all of his calls. I called him in his office and he got back to me in the same day. One of the proudest days of my life happened when I received a letter from Howard University and Bishop read the letter to the Congregation telling everyone that I had been selected to join the faculty at Howard University.
The next proudest moment is when Bishop Brazier stood with me at my wedding in 2004 at my wife's church with her pastor doing the ceremony. Bishop Brazier with all his things that he had to do made the time to be at my wedding. In the 8 years since being in Washington there was never a time when Bishop would not tell me "Brother Miles when are coming back home. We need you!"During the years of his illness I saw Bishop get weaker and prayed for more time with him. It hurt really deep to see him grow weaker but he prepared us. And he let us know that he wanted to see Jesus. However even with knowing and the preparation of the inevitable the sense of loss still has a way of making its presence known but the devil is a liar. Bishop Arthur M. Brazier lives in my heart and I will continue my support of the Apostolic Church of God and my pastor Dr. Bryon T. Brazier. This was an October that I will never forget !!
