Friend’s legacy of gospel music lives on
Southern gospel music has always been important to our community. Music can bring people together from different denominations. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” Gospel music gives credence to this quote. Christians from different backgrounds will often flock to hear their favorite group or singer. They come together for a few minutes to praise God despite their differences.
Cherokee County is home to many wonderful singers and musicians. In most of our churches, talented singers and musicians can be found on Sunday mornings. Psalm 100:1-2 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.” While there are differences in the traditions of Christian churches, gospel singing often transcends those differences.
The gospel music industry lost one of its’ own a few days ago with the passing of Morris Stancil. Morris was a songwriter, piano player, and singer, who spent his life ministering to others through his music. There was a time in the 1980’s I attended Buffington Baptist Church for a couple of years. During that time, Morris was the piano player for the church. We who attended were often privy to songs which would be known nationally before anyone else heard them. He played and sang the songs in the purity of the spirit in which he received them.
Morris’s songs have been recorded by many well-known gospel groups such as The Kingsmen Quartet, The Inspirations, and The Primitive Quartet, to name a few. And while their renditions of his songs are beautifully performed, nothing was sweeter than hearing him sing the songs for the first time. It would be Morris and his piano. When the spirit would hit him, tears would run down his face and his leg would kick out from the piano. This is the way I want to remember my friend.
During the years I attended Buffington Baptist Church, Morris was a dear friend to me.
Like often happens in life, we both moved on to different places and lost touch. The memories never faded. Our contact did. About a year ago, I saw Morris while visiting New Hope Baptist Church one Sunday. He played the piano and sang which brought tears to me eyes. All the old memories of worshipping together flooded my soul. His son Greg accompanied him on that day, singing and playing the bass guitar. He played and sang with a smile. I can only imagine how blessed he must have felt that day, sharing the moment with his Daddy.
When the service was over, I had to go speak to them. Morris did not immediately recognize me. It had been many years and we had both aged. But even after I told him who I was, he looked as if he was still unsure. He was gracious as always, but something was different.
It was one of those moments in life which kind of leaves you with a sadness you can not explain. Morris was always a man small in stature. What he lacked in size, when God gave him the spirit in using his talent, he was bigger than the room. On this day, he seemed frail.
Knowing Morris and his son Greg for many years, I never met Greg’s mother, Margaret. She and Morris had not been together for as long as I have known him. Regardless of this situation, they did something very right. They raised Greg with love. Greg is now a man who loves the Lord and shares his talents’ just like his Daddy did.
On December 22nd of last year, Greg lost his mother. A loss is tough at any time. I can only imagine being right before Christmas did not help any. So, after Christmas, on December 30th , Greg was attending a visitation to honor his mother. During the visitation, someone had the unfortunate task of telling Greg, his father Morris, had also just passed away. We all have bad days. Some are worse than others. In my opinion, this day in Greg’s life would certainly qualify as one of those.
Morris is now singing a new song. It is one he did not write. There are no tears flowing down his face. The frailty he endured for the last few months of his life has been healed. In his absence here on earth, his songs will go on blessing people for as long as time stands. Thank you, my friend, for sharing your gift with the world.