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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, March 7, 2025, pg. 7 For many years, one of Albion's "ambassador" musical groups was the Goodwill Singers. The Singers were formed by Willa Mae (Union) Pierson (1913-2006) and her husband Robert Pierson (1903-1987) in 1957. Willa Mae was the choir leader, and Robert served as the business manager. The Pierson's operated a neighborhood grocery store at 711 W. Cass St. for many years. The Singers consisted of members from several black churches in town, mostly from Bethel Baptist Church, Macedonia Baptist Church, and Lewis Chapel. Later in the 1970s, the group was headquartered at Grace Temple where Willa Mae was serving as minister of music. Author Judy Powell gives us a history of the group in her book "An Ethnic History of Albion," pg. 25 as follows: "The Goodwill Singers are a group of young men and women from several churches who spread interracial goodwill through the ministry of music. The group began in 1957 with ten young Christian men and women, all of one faith. Later the group expanded and included young people of other faiths who sang not to entertain, but to give praise to God by interpreting the gospel in song." Judy continues, "The Singers have distinguished themselves in concerts throughout most of Michigan as well as Ohio and Indiana. They have earned praise singing in churches and concert halls, prisons and hospitals, as well as in the events recognizing Albion's designation as an All-America city. The Singers have made two long playing records with RCA and Columbia records. The repertoire includes Negro spirituals, Black folk music, hymns, anthems and gospel songs." Occasionally I'll see a Goodwill Singers LP album listed on E-Bay or on similar sites. In addition to hearing them locally, I also remember them performing for a chapel service at Spring Arbor College in the early 1970s where I was attending at the time. The Singers were an inspiration for all those who heard them, and showcased some of the fine vocal talent we have right here in Albion. From our Historical Notebook this week we present a rare early photograph of the Goodwill Singers, taken in the late 1950s. Here are the identifications. IN FRONT, SEATED: Willa Mae Pierson, director. FIRST ROW, left to right. 1. Unidentified; 2. Unidentified; 3. Unidentified; 4. Edith (Woods) Burch; 5. Margaret Collins; 6. Unidentified; 7. Bessie Woods; 8. Unidentified; 9 Connie McIntosh; 10. Shirley (Pearson) West. MIDDLE ROW: Priscilla (Smith) Ridley; 2. Unidentified; 3. Lavern (Union) Holt; 4. Hilda (Wright) Miller; 5. Mildred (Union) Williams; 6. Vivian (Hunter) Howell. TOP ROW: 1. James McIntosh; 2. Andrew Stallworth; 3. Georgia (Union) Bates; 4. Florence Brewer; 5. Lucinda (Caper) Williams; 6. Mildred Biggs; 7.____Union; 8. K.D. Hampton; 9. Fred Wright. How many of our readers remember the Goodwill Singers?  The Goodwill Singers, in the late 1950s
All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic | Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026
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