Esther Ford

Lady Esther Ford was a nationally renowned gospel singer, minister, tambourine player, playwright, and producer. Born December 30,1930 her musical career began at the early age of five. She was billed as the “Child Wonder Gospel Singer.” Ford sang with The Famous Ward Singers, The Stars Of Faith, and many other famous gospel singers. Around 1958, Ford, Kitty Parham, Marion Williams, Frances Steadman, and Henrietta Waddy resigned from the Ward Singers to form The Stars Of Faith. Ford was also the group’s first manager and driver, and Kitty Parham helped secure the bookings, since she had kept the names of all the Ward sponsors and promoters written in a notebook. Ford was the first in many things including member of the first African American group (The Stars Of Faith)to sing before the Pope at the Vatican, Carnegie Hall, and Radio City Music Hall. Pope Paul IV stated that he was so spiritually moved by Lady Esther’s rendition of “Come Ye Disconsolate”. In 1964, she also founded and recorded the first Interracial Gospel Group The Exodus Singers. The newly formed integrated female group recorded an album in the United States on the Savoy Records. Ford also recorded her first solo album, “Profiles of a Great Lady,” which was on the Nashboro Label. Esther traveled internationally and nationally for more than 80 years using her voice to spread the gospel in song. Esther Ford at the age of 85 died in August 2016, and was the last surviving member of the original Ward Singers and The Stars Of Faith.