MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Horhn, Brumfield Senate Resolution 143 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF HUEY P. WILLAMS, BELOVED LEAD SINGER OF THE ICONIC GOSPEL GROUP THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS MISSISSIPPI MUSICAL AND CULTURAL LEGACY. WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Huey P. Williams, the longtime frontman of The Jackson Southernaires and a cornerstone of American gospel music, who died peacefully at his home in Smithdale, Mississippi, on March 24, 2025; and WHEREAS, a trailblazer in traditional gospel, Huey Williams' unmistakable voice and soulful storytelling made him one of the most beloved vocalists in the genre. His passing marks the end of an era for quartet gospel, a style he helped define and preserve for over five decades; and WHEREAS, Williams was born into a family of gospel royalty. He was the elder brother of Frank Williams, who later founded the Mississippi Mass Choir, and of Melvin, Doug and Leonard Williams, members of the Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers. Together, the Williams family helped shape the sound of modern gospel; and WHEREAS, "My big brother Huey, in my eyes, was in a league of his own," said Doug. "He possessed a signature voice that was unmistakably his own. His music ministry touched so many lived in such a positive way over the years. He had a big personality, but such a humble spirit. Huey was the epitome of a people's person, a man that loved everybody and never met a stranger. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. That's why so many people from across the country gravitated to him and loved him dearly. His presence will be sorely missed, but his undeniable legacy will live on forever"; and WHEREAS, founded in 1940 in Jackson, Mississippi, The Jackson Southernaires gained national attention in the 1960s under the leadership of Huey and Frank Williams, along with Willie Banks. In 1963, they signed with Song Bird Records, a Peacock subsidiary, and released their breakout single, "The Greatest Creator"; and WHEREAS, their 1968 song "Too Late" became a massive hit and led to the release of their first full-length album. Known for emotionally powerful performances and messages of faith and perseverance, the Southernaires earned acclaim with radio favorites like "Don't Let Him Catch You (With Your Work Undone)" and "How Long Will It Last"; and WHEREAS, in 1975, the group became the first gospel act to sign with Malaco Records, launching a decades-long partnership that saw them regularly chart on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums list with titles such as Down Home (1975), Legendary Gentlemen (1979) and Lord We Need Your Blessing (1985). They were frequently named among Billboard's Top Gospel/Soul Artists of the Year; and WHEREAS, Huey's commitment to gospel never wavered. When asked if he'd ever retire, he famously replied, "My answer to that question is, how do you give up on God? How do you give up on Gospel? How do you say, 'I'm going to retire?' It's like a good marriage - until death do us part"; and WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires won multiple accolades, including three consecutive Gospel Music Workshop of America awards for "Traditional Male Group of the Year" in the late 1980s, a Stellar Award in 1989, and a Grammy nomination in 1992. They were inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and in 2010, the city of Jackson renamed a stretch of road in their honor: Jackson Southernaires Drive; and WHEREAS, Huey Williams' final performance with the group was in late 2024, a testament to his enduring passion for gospel. He is survived by his siblings, extended family, and a legion of fans whose lives were uplifted by his voice; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the legacy and talent of a world-class Mississippi gospel musician who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the musical traditions of our great state: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Huey P. Willams, beloved lead singer of the iconic gospel group The Jackson Southernaires and acknowledge his Mississippi musical and cultural legacy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Jackson Southernaires in honor of their continuing musical and cultural legacy, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Brumfield
# Senate Resolution 143
## (As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF HUEY P. WILLAMS, BELOVED LEAD SINGER OF THE ICONIC GOSPEL GROUP THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS MISSISSIPPI MUSICAL AND CULTURAL LEGACY.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Huey P. Williams, the longtime frontman of The Jackson Southernaires and a cornerstone of American gospel music, who died peacefully at his home in Smithdale, Mississippi, on March 24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a trailblazer in traditional gospel, Huey Williams' unmistakable voice and soulful storytelling made him one of the most beloved vocalists in the genre. His passing marks the end of an era for quartet gospel, a style he helped define and preserve for over five decades; and
WHEREAS, Williams was born into a family of gospel royalty. He was the elder brother of Frank Williams, who later founded the Mississippi Mass Choir, and of Melvin, Doug and Leonard Williams, members of the Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers. Together, the Williams family helped shape the sound of modern gospel; and
WHEREAS, "My big brother Huey, in my eyes, was in a league of his own," said Doug. "He possessed a signature voice that was unmistakably his own. His music ministry touched so many lived in such a positive way over the years. He had a big personality, but such a humble spirit. Huey was the epitome of a people's person, a man that loved everybody and never met a stranger. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. That's why so many people from across the country gravitated to him and loved him dearly. His presence will be sorely missed, but his undeniable legacy will live on forever"; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1940 in Jackson, Mississippi, The Jackson Southernaires gained national attention in the 1960s under the leadership of Huey and Frank Williams, along with Willie Banks. In 1963, they signed with Song Bird Records, a Peacock subsidiary, and released their breakout single, "The Greatest Creator"; and
WHEREAS, their 1968 song "Too Late" became a massive hit and led to the release of their first full-length album. Known for emotionally powerful performances and messages of faith and perseverance, the Southernaires earned acclaim with radio favorites like "Don't Let Him Catch You (With Your Work Undone)" and "How Long Will It Last"; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, the group became the first gospel act to sign with Malaco Records, launching a decades-long partnership that saw them regularly chart on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums list with titles such as Down Home (1975), Legendary Gentlemen (1979) and Lord We Need Your Blessing (1985). They were frequently named among Billboard's Top Gospel/Soul Artists of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Huey's commitment to gospel never wavered. When asked if he'd ever retire, he famously replied, "My answer to that question is, how do you give up on God? How do you give up on Gospel? How do you say, 'I'm going to retire?' It's like a good marriage - until death do us part"; and
WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires won multiple accolades, including three consecutive Gospel Music Workshop of America awards for "Traditional Male Group of the Year" in the late 1980s, a Stellar Award in 1989, and a Grammy nomination in 1992. They were inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and in 2010, the city of Jackson renamed a stretch of road in their honor: Jackson Southernaires Drive; and
WHEREAS, Huey Williams' final performance with the group was in late 2024, a testament to his enduring passion for gospel. He is survived by his siblings, extended family, and a legion of fans whose lives were uplifted by his voice; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the legacy and talent of a world-class Mississippi gospel musician who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the musical traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Huey P. Willams, beloved lead singer of the iconic gospel group The Jackson Southernaires and acknowledge his Mississippi musical and cultural legacy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Jackson Southernaires in honor of their continuing musical and cultural legacy, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.