Elder Goldwire McLendon, a former finalist on Season 3 of BET’s singing competition Sunday Best and acclaimed jazz singer Samara Joy’s grandfather, died Dec. 17 at the age of 95. According to The Grio, no cause of death was disclosed.
Following his appearance on Sunday Best, McLendon traveled the country, performing in churches and sharing his gift of song and enthralling stage presence. Here’s a closer look at his life, legacy and how he’s being remembered.
Mathew Knowles remembers McLendon’s ‘joyous spirit, commanding presence and energetic’ performances
Mathew Knowles, who signed McLendon after Sunday Best, shared a video on Instagram offering his thoughts and prayers to the gospel singer’s family.
“From the Music World [Entertainment] family and the gospel music community, our hearts and condolences go out to the family in the loss of Elder Goldwire McLendon, beloved minister, singer and Sunday Best finalist who has passed away at the age of 95,” he began the video.
He explained he was the “backend record label” for the BET competition show “for years.” Knowles watched McLendon defy “expectations” as the Season 3 runner-up.
“Nobody thought that [he would make it to the finals],” Knowles said. “His joyous spirit, commanding presence and energetic performance made him a standout throughout the season.”
Later, Knowles shared a clip of one of McLendon’s many performances.
At 79, McLendon made Sunday Best history as the show’s oldest contestant
According to the Journal of Gospel Music, McLendon was born on Sept. 27, 1930, in Jacksonville, Florida. He began singing at Jacksonville’s Church of God and later formed his own a cappella male quartet, the Cosmopolitan Gospel Singers, around 1946. A year later, he moved to Philadelphia, where he met and later married Ruth Byrd, a co-organizer of the Savettes Club — an all-women savings group whose members also sang as a group. The club later welcomed men, forming a choir that McLendon went on to join.
The Savettes of Philadelphia later helped establish the first Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir.
Throughout the 2000s, McLendon performed and recorded with the Victory Chorale Union and the Brockington Ensemble. In 2009, he was named a Philadelphia Living Legend by the African American Museum in Pennsylvania.
In 2010, at the encouragement of a friend, McLendon auditioned for Season 3 of Sunday Best. At 79 years old, he became the oldest contestant in the show’s history. He advanced to the finals before ultimately losing to Le’Andria Johnson. According to Jubilee Cast, Knowles later offered McLendon a recording contract when he was 81 years old. Under the Knowles Music World Entertainment umbrella, he released his debut solo project, making him one of the oldest artists to do so.
He is survived by his family, including Joy, and his church community.