A Christmas Wish: Aunt Pearlie Sue and The Gullah Kinfolk
When the Gullah Kinfolk get together to practice, it’s a family reunion, a prayer meeting, a celebration, and a very serious commitment to their art, all at once. They arrive after a full day’s work, after dinner, and after dark. At 7:30 on Monday nights, they travel out Route 21 to gather at New Covenant Fellowship Ministries, just off Shanklin Road. One member comes from Savannah; another from Point South. They are there to prepare for their annual Christmas show with their Director, Anita Prather, or as you may know her, Aunt Pearlie Sue.
This really is a family reunion, for many of the group are related to each other, and those who aren’t related by blood might as well be, because their bonds are strong and long-standing. Some are cousins: Larry Singleton’s grandmother was Anita Prather’s grandmother’s sister, for instance. Rehearsal is not only serious business, but it is also a time to catch up with each other’s news and watch each other’s children grow up. For the youngest children, like Jakai, aged five, it is a time to play, until admonished to be still, which amazingly seems to work. In time, Jakai, like others who grew up as children of the Gullah Kinfolk, will become a full-fledged member of the flock.
And it really is a prayer meeting, because these singers pair their commitment to the presentation of their Gullah heritage with their faith in God and a desire to praise him, and the songs they sing reflect that. Most have learned to sing in church choirs, and the level of talent and professionalism is very high. At a recent practice, tenor Larry Singleton was fighting bronchitis, yet when he began to sing a cappella, no one who didn’t know him would have been able to tell. That night, as at other practices, they would rehearse until ten p.m. or later. It was apparent that a second wind was provided by the joy of being together, doing what they do so well. Here, they tell you about themselves and what it means to them to be part of the Gullah Kinfolk:
Anita Prather, Lead Singer, Director, & Scriptwriter
Anita Joyce Singleton Prather is well-known for her storytelling gifts in the legendary persona of Aunt Pearlie Sue. She is the Director of Broadway Back in Da’ Woods Productions, which produce both the Gullah Kinfolk musical, “Gullah Christmas Wish: Freedom Comin’,” Christmas, and she also wrote the script. She says about their work that it is “a ministry of love for God, family, history, and friends. When we come together we have a time of sharing, laughter, and praises to God for this wonderful heritage that emerged out of the horrors of slavery to this beautiful Gullah culture.”
Inda M. Walker, Soprano & Anita’s Assistant
As Anita Prather’s personal assistant, Inda M. Walker is her right-hand-woman, and she has been involved with the Gullah Kinfolk for many years, but only recently has she allowed her own light to shine in the forefront, by joining the singers as a soprano. The youngest of 14 children of a preacher, Inda is a tireless worker and is, she says, “very passionate about the mission and ministry of Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree and has worked for the Beaufort County School District for 28 years.
Errol Adams Roach, Tenor & Music Director, and Minister Joan Roach, Alto
Errol Roach, the Musical Director and alto singer for the Gullah Kinfolk, is also Pastor of the Covenant of Faith Christian Fellowship in Savannah, Georgia, and travels from there to rehearse with the Gullah Kinfolk and use his musical talents as part of his ministry, along with his wife, Joan, who also sings with the Gullah Kinfolk, and ministers at their church in Savannah. Errol says he is speaking for both of them when he states, “We are delivered from our past to serve God in the present.”
Scott Allen Gibbs, Tenor & Assistant Artistic Director
Scott Allen Gibbs, as the Assistant Artistic Director of the Gullah Kinfolk, cousin of Aunt Pearlie Sue, A graduate of South Carolina State University, Scott is a vocalist, musician and director, and has directed many fashion shows, pageants, musicals and plays. His dedication to the Gullah Kinfolk fits with his philosophy of life. He says, “Always believe and trust in Jesus Christ, because he will always direct your path.”
Granville Jerome Bates, Bass & Percussionist
Granville Bates grew up with Anita Prather and loves playing conga and bongo drums, which he does with the Gullah Kinfolk as well as singing bass. He says he enjoys playing with the group because “I get a feeling of what my ancestors lived through for us to enjoy a feeling of freedom.” In addition to school ties with Anita, Jerome is Inda’s cousin and his wife, Bessie also sings with the Gullah Kinfolk.
Raul Bradley, Tenor
Raul Bradley has been with the Gullah Kinfolk since 2006. He says that he enjoys performing with the Gullah Kinfolk because it keeps him connected to his past and to his grandparents who spoke Gullah, [by] singing all those songs that he heard growing up in the Midlands of South Carolina.
Faith Cook-Brown, Alto
Faith Cook-Brown remembers well the day she met Anita Prather. It was her first day in Lady’s Island Middle School and her first day in the low country, where she had moved from Chicago, Illinois. Anita immediately addressed her as Miss Chicago, and Faith says she didn’t think she was going to like her. But a mutual passion for helping others, serving God, and presenting the Gullah culture has made them long-term friends and colleagues.
Gloria Jackson, Soprano
Gloria Jackson, the fifth of eleven children in Burton, South Carolina, grew up with a strong sense of responsibility to her family, church, and community. Although she is a retired elementary school teacher, she still works with children, she works as a County Election Worker to encourage others to vote, and, most of all, she says, “My greatest love and joy come from ministering for the Lord through song and laughter. I always try to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
Dr. JacQueline E. Lawton, Soprano
JacQui Richardson-Lawton moved to Beaufort from the upstate when she was eight years old. A product of the Beaufort school system, JacQui has been singing with the Gullah Kinfolk since Connie Singleton-Murphy brought her on in the 1990s, despite a fifteen year period when she was living and working in Atlanta. JacQui has both a Master’s and a Doctorate in education, and currently teaches as an English and Language Arts teacher at Robert Smalls International Academy. She puts particular value on her own success as a beacon for her students.
Monica L. Jones-Licorish, Contralto
Monica Jone-Licorish was born in Charleston, S.C., and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a charter member of the Gullah Kinfolk, and says, “I love this group because it allows everyone to sing in a natural voice tone, which blends so beautifully.”
Tariq Kinloch, Percussionist
Tariq Kinloch is a Computer Science major at South Carolina State University and a drummer for Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk. Like Granville Bates, Tariq loves playing the conga drums.
Joan B. Linyard, Alto
Joan Linyard, a Beaufort native, has been an alto with the Gullah Kinfolk since 2010, when Anita Prather helped her realize that she could sing! She worked for Beaufort County Council for over 16 years, retiring as as Office Manager. Now she works as a Literacy Intervention Teacher with first through third grade students, and says she is passionate about teaching. She is also passionate about her position in the Gullah Kinfolk family, where she sings along with her daughter, Leontae’ Veliz. “Ever since I became part of this family,” Joan says,”a song comes to mind: ‘Come over here to stay, Lord, ‘till I die’.”
Leontae’ Marie Veliz, Soprano
Leontae Marie Veliz considers herself the “true baby” of the Gullah Kinfolks, and she has been singing since she was a little girl in church. She sang in two church choirs, joined her middle and high school choirs, and sang alongside American Idol 2013 winner Candace Glover in a group called Youthful Praiz. She says that singing is her passion, but God and family come first, which is why she fell in love with the Gullah Kinfolk, with whom she has been singing for about eight years
Connie Singleton Murphy, Alto
Connie Singleton Murphy, Anita Prather’s baby sister, is proof that talent runs in families. She has been using her gifts for singing, songwriting, performing, and teaching for over 33 years in schools, churches, and the community. About being a part of the Gullah Kinfolk, Connie notes that it “…allows me to partake in this creative musical history book as the culture comes alive!”
Wesley Benjamin Singleton Murphy, 15
Son of Connie and Darryl, he was 11 days old when he joined the group. He is a tenth grader at Wheel Branch Early College High School. He’s a member of the national honor society, a cross country track star, and he enjoys playing basketball, tennis, and soccer. He is an Usher at New Covenant Fellowship Mnistries of Beaufort.
Darryl T. Murphy, Bass
Darryl Murphy is originally from Buffalo, N.Y., but his parents are natives of North and South Carolina, and he has lived in the low country for eighteen years. Darryl, who is married to Connie Singleton Murphy, has a Master’s degree in Public Policy/Public Administration from SUNY @ Buffalo, is a past curator of the York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center, and conducts seminars on rice, cotton, and indigo cultivation. He is presently the President of the Burton-Dale-Beaufort Branch of the NAACP, and is an account manager with a senior chartered financial planning company.
Larry “Peanut” Singleton, Tenor
Anita Prather teases Cousin Larry that she changed his diapers when he was such a little baby that they called him “Peanut.” In addition to being a fine tenor, Larry loves to cook and bake, and has been in the food service industry for 29 years working at the Westin Resort. Larry grew up singing in the church, and is a founding member of the Gullah Kinfolk, in addition to working with the Rosemary Baptist Church Choir and other choirs in the Point South area of South Carolina. “What I like about this group is touching people’s souls and making them smile by singing,” Larry says.
Clayso Wrice, Bass Tenor
A retired educator, Clayso is an event planner, decorator, and Bass tenor for the Gullah Kinfolk.
Traquan Riley, Age 15, Dancer
He is in tenth grade at Battery Creek High School, and a percussion member of the band, and plays percussion at his church as well. He has been with the group since he was 18 months old.Traquan says, “Being in this group means a lot to me. As an African Dancer, I have to express my feelings through dance and motion. I believe that my dancing gives the people of the world a good sense of what my ancestors were about. I enjoy my family and friends I participate with in the Gullah Kinfolk and I hope my children and the future generations coming behind me are able to continue this group on into eternity.
Lydasia Love’ Lampkin Prather,
Age 14
Aunt Pearlie Sue’s oldest grandaughter, has been with the group since birth. She sings on the praise team at New Covenant Fellowship Mnistries of Beaufort. She is a freshman at Battery Cree high school, plays on the girls varisty basketball team, and is a honor student. “I enjoy being a part of this group because I can experience my culture and when time comes I will know all the right moves and teach my future children about their culture.
Jakai Alston, Age 5
Aunt Pearlie Sue’s grandaughter
Jakai is a young lady of few words – on paper, that is. In person, she has lots to say, which can be summed up as,“Here I am, world!.” She has the exuberance and assurance that are natural in a young child who has a large family that loves her, and makes sure she knows it.
Jeremy Marcus Alston, Jr. 6
Aunt Pearlie Sue’s grandson kindergarten at beaufort elementary, Part of the youth ministry at New Covenant Fellowship Mnistries of Beaufort.
Sedeek Rhamair Nathaniel PratherAge 10, Aunt Pearlie Sue’s oldest grandson. Percussionist, plays the drum at New Covenant Fellowship Mnistries of Beaufort. He is a fifth grader at Beaufort Elementary, an honor roll student and a member of the Parris Island Young Marines Organization, and an avid tennis player. “I enjoy being in this because I get to play the drums.”
Bessie Glover Bates
A Native of St. Helena Island of SC, graduate of beaufort high school, child care provider, gospel singer, singing since a little girl in choirs. wife of glaviille jerome bates, Sings on the praise team of New Life Deliverance.
Romeater Anderson,
Head Gullah Chef for Aunt Pearlie Sue and Singleton Catering
She has been in the food service for over 50 years, and specializes in Gullah soul food.
Lt. Chahn Chess
Stationed in Beaufort, Originally from Alabama. He joined the group in March of 2014.
When Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk perform, they make you feel like part of that loving family. Their joy in singing together is palpable and infectious, and they take you in – you are no longer a stranger. It doesn’t matter whether or not you can carry a tune; you will find yourself singing with them – in spirit, if not in fact. And you will be fed, quite literally, because they serve you with food as well as song. You will feel fine.
“Gullah Christmas Wish: Freedom Comin’,”
December 5, 2014, 7:00 pm, USCB
Will include a traditional Gullah Christmas Feast.
