sleep on July 3, 2014. Born to Samuel and Anna Branch of Delmopolous,
Alabama. She was preceded by her parents, 11 siblings and her only child
Joseph W. Louis. She moved to Connecticut in the late 1950's and was
quickly discovered while singing in a community choir called The
Wobelairs by Carlo Martignoni. He had her sing at the Italian Festival
Stamford, Ct, Then all over the Tri- State area. While being the opening
act for Louis Armstrong at Freedom Land in NYC, Mr. Armstrong came up to
her after a show and said, "I've been all over the world, worked with
countless singers and musicians, but you touch a part of my soul that no
one has been able to reach. I would like you to be my Musical
God-Child." And with that, he gave her his trumpet mouthpiece to seal
the deal. They became very close friends. Whenever they were in town
together they would hang out at his home with his family or meet at
various places with Mrs. Armstrong. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Louis was
asked to host a new television show called, "TV Gospel Time." She became
not only the first black woman, but the first woman period, to host a
nationally syndicated television show. It aired out of NYC from WOR TV
Channel 9 in the mid 1960's. The Rev James Cleveland had his first
television appearance on that program and featured acts from all over
the country. A young singer named Aretha Franklin, traveling with her
father Rev. Franklin, was Miss Georgia's opening act on many occasions.
She travel extensively through the United States, Canada and Europe
singing Gospel and Spiritual music. She recorded six singles, most
popular of which was "Walk With Me Lord," and "Walk Softly Children" was
very popular in Isreal. Her brother Dupree was stationed in Vietnam and
had the troops wake up to "Walk With Me Lord" every day. Ms. Louis
performed with such great artists as Dinah Washington, The Staple
Singers, Shirley Ceasar, The Caravans and Mahalia Jackson (who Ms. Louis
beat out in 1963 for "Top Female Vocalist of the Year" by the AME Zion
Church… of course she said it was just a "gimme" cause who could do
that?!!?).She had triumphant performances at the New York World's Fair,
Lincoln Center, The Tonight Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, the State
Theater in Philadelphia (she asked me to mention that one as she saved
someones life on the way to the theater. She got blood all over her gown
and had to run back to the hotel to get another one.). She shared the
bill at the Apollo Theater with James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Brooke
Benton, The Jackson Five, Dinah Washington, among others. A young
Whitney Houston opened for her as well. Among her busy travel schedule,
she worked as a nurses aid in both Stamford and Greenwich Hospitals. She
was accompanied by her musical director and dear friend Dr. William H.
Collins, Jr. of NYC, Musical Director of Mt Hermon Baptist Church,
Bronx, NY. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and her long time
friend, Mr. Pierre Guertin. Her Going Home ceremony will be held at
Leo P. Gallagher& Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St., Stamford, CT. on July 10,
2014 203-327-1313. The Viewing is at 10:30 am and the service will be at
12 PM. Reception will follow at Madonia Restaurant, 1297 Long ridge Rd. Stamford, CT after the grave site.
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