(RNS) David “Pop” Winans, the patriarch of the famed gospel-singing Winans family, died Wednesday (April 8) at age 74 with his wife of 55 years, Delores “Mom” Winans, at his side.
David Winans had suffered a heart attack last October and died at a Nashville hospice center, the family said in a statement. Funeral services are scheduled for April 14-15 in his native Detroit.
“The Winans family wish(es) to thank everyone for their prayers and continued support, but would appreciate privacy at this time,” the family said in a statement posted on daughter CeCe Winans’ Web site.
David and Delores Winans met singing gospel in 1950 and were married three years later. David Winans worked as a car salesman, taxi driver, custodian and barber to support his growing family of 10 children, many of whom went on to their own gospel careers.
The elder Winans was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for his album, “Uncensored,” and the couple was jointly nominated 10 years earlier for their album, “Mom & Pop Winans.”
The couple’s best-known children are BeBe and CeCe Winans; four others — Michael, Marvin, Carvin and Ronald — sang together as The Winans. The funeral is scheduled to be held at Perfecting Church in Detroit, where Marvin Winans is the senior pastor.
