Fred Yvern Hess was born on March 24th, 1937, in Haleyville Alabama to William Ollie and Laura Ethel (Brooks,) Hess. He was the youngest of 4 siblings. 2 Sisters, Dorothy Evelyn, Laura Francis, and 1 brother William Morris. They were a very musical family doing singing schools and had a popular radio program.
The family moved to Florida when Fred was a teenager where he met the love of his life Gladys (Shiver,) Hess. They were 18, dated 3 months and married December 10th, 1955. That marriage lasted 65 years. Fred continued with his love of music singing in his quartet “The Premiers,” and with his Family,
“The Hess Family Singers.” He was a very talented song writer and wrote songs for many popular southern gospel groups of the time. One of his most well-known songs was “Sweeter Gets the Journey,” as recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys.
In addition he wrote songs for the Church of God Convention song books. He also served on the music board for the publication and was a licensed music minister for that denomination. He was known and loved by those he ministered to and with, with his wife by his side. He was an anointed choir and congregational worship leader. He loved the Lord with all his heart and loved sharing him with anyone he had the opportunity to.
The lyrics to this song he wrote many years ago is his testimony:
“The bright lights on the wide ways of the city streets, they beckon me, so temptingly they call my name. They offer me the promise of great wealth and fame for my own name yet I don’t care for with the night comes worldly fame.
Not for sale is my soul for any price silver or gold, for it was bought when on the cross my lord was nailed. Now the bright lights along the wide ways of the city streets they don’t tempt me for upon my soul a sign reads not for sale.
When day is done the sun sets and night falls and covers all and my life will be no more. I’ll meet the one who paid the price, he made the greatest sacrifice so I might live a king’s child for evermore.
Not for sale is my soul for any price silver or gold, for it was bought when on the cross my lord was nailed. Now the bright lights along the wide ways of the city streets they don’t tempt me for upon my soul a sign reads not for sale.”
Fred is survived by 1 brother William Morris (Mildred,) Hess of Lakeland, FL, 2 children Steve (Tootie,) Hess of Spencer TN, Vicky (Rick,) Adams of Mount Juliet, TN, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 10 great great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
A Gathering of Family and Friends for Fred will be held Monday, January 3, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hermitage Funeral Home, followed by a Celebration of Life from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Immediately following the Celebration of Life, he will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed via Facebook on the Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens page. The live-stream will begin at approximately 1:55pm. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Hess family by selecting "Add a Memory" at the bottom of this page.
