Paul Beasley, Jr.

Paul Beasley, Jr., 78, of Griffin, GA passed away Monday, March 13, 2023.  Visitation will be Friday, March 24 from 7-9pm at DeRidder High School Gymnasium.  Funeral service will be Saturday, March 25 at 11am at DeRidder High School Gymnasium.  Interment will be at Beauregard Cemetery.  Rev. Murray Piper will officiate. Paul Beasley, Jr. was born in Singer, Louisiana on December 11, 1944, to the late Bishop Paul Beasley, Sr., and Alberta Prater Beasley.  Paul was baptized at an early age at the Macedonia Baptist Church, Singer, Louisiana.  He later united with the St. Mary Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) under the leadership of the late Elder Levy Ackley.  Paul attended George Washington Carver High School in DeRidder and was later drafted into the U. S. Army.  Later in life, he left DeRidder to pursue his professional singing career. His professional career began in the mid-60s with the Late Great Willie Neal Johnson, founder and lead vocalist of the renowned Gospel Keynotes of Tyler, Texas.  The Gospel Keynotes accelerated in the ministry and recorded many gospel hits, including “Jesus You Been Good to Me”, “That’s My Son”, and “Help Me to Be Strong.”  In the late 70s, Paul joined The Keynotes’ main rival, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, where he went on to record what many would declare is their favorite Paul Beasley song, “Walk Around Heaven.”  During his tenure with this group, they acquired a Grammy with many award-winning hits.  In June 1984, Paul released his first solo album, “My Soul is Free” in Atlanta, GA.  A second solo album recorded was “There’s a God Who Knows it All.”  He later returned to the Keynotes in 1996.  Prior to joining The Blind Boys of Alabama, he led his own professional gospel singing group, Paul Beasley and the Keynotes. Paul remained faithful to his gospel roots and kept his promise that he would never join the secular world because God blessed him with an incomparable talent – One of the best.  Recently, in February 2023, The Blind Boys of Alabama, of which Paul was a member, sang nationally on The View.  Paul is known for his powerful anointed voice and his ability to connect with his audience.  He and the groups have won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.  Paul performed for over 50 years in the gospel industry, recorded over 20 albums, and has toured the world, sharing his music with millions of fans.  In the gospel quartet industry, he is known as one of the best Falsetto singers.  He has been compared to the likes of Sam Cooke for his vocal abilities. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Bishop Paul Beasley, Sr., Alberta Prater Beasley, and one brother, Bishop Fred Ross, Jr.  Remaining to cherish his lifelong memories are his wife, Glendora Beasley of Griffin, GA; one (1) sister, Doris (Odell) Vickers of Alexandria, LA; a sister-in-law, Augustine Ross of DeRidder, LA; four (4) daughters, Stephanne (Billy) Spikes and Rita Y. Harris of DeRidder, LA, Ursula Yvette Beasley Aldridge of Lansing, MI, and Carmen (Clayton) Davis of Griffin, GA; one (1) son, Brian Beasley of Tuskegee, AL; seven (7) grandchildren, Marcus, Breland, Leija (Elijah), Alexander, Alexis, Kendarius, and Morgan; twelve (12) great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends and the entire Gospel Circuit.  You better sang Paul.  Special friends. The family requested that no pictures or videos are to be taken during the visitation and funeral. The Live Stream for the funeral service will be on Stephanne Lynn Beasley-Melvin Spikes Facebook. Condolences can be made at chaddickfuneralhome.com