LaBreeska Hemphill, matriarch of the Southern gospel family The Hemphills, died Dec. 9 in Nashville. She was 75.

Hemphill was born in 1940 in Flat Creek, Alabama, to Walter Erskine Rogers and Gussie Mae Goodman Rogers. At 9 years old, she appeared on stage at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium during the monthly “all-night gospel sings.” In 1957, she married Joel Hemphill, and they became active in the church where Joel’s father was pastor. Soon they began to travel and sing when Joel answered the call to ministry, evangelized briefly and settled down to serve a church in Bastrop, Louisiana. In 1966, the couple signed their first recording contract as a duet with Canaan Records, a division of Word Records.

As a member of The Hemphills, she ministered across the globe in concerts and revivals. A reviewer for The Washington Post attended one of the group's concerts in the 1970s and wrote, “Mrs. Hemphill has a powerful and convincing voice, and The Hemphills do not have one sit-still song in their repertoire.” Garnering eight GMA Dove Awards, The Hemphills dominated music charts in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. For over 20 years, on average the group maintained a No. 8 song on the gospel charts and earned six No. 1 hits. Their greatest hit, “He’s Still Working on Me,” remained at No. 1 for eight consecutive months and was 1981’s Song of the Year. With her emotive vocals, Hemphill was also known for the hits “I Claim the Blood,” “Grandma’s Rocking Chair” and “Unfinished Task.” In addition to her music, she was author of four published inspirational books.

“For over 50 years, my bride and companion stood with me through ups and downs, joy and pain, tears and prayers, and I will miss her greatly,” Joel said. “Although we have lost her earthly presence, I know I will see her again. I know where she’s headed, and that’s what counts! I love you, sweetheart; see you soon. You’ve finished well.”

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