Leah Angela Curry-Williams
A celebration of life service was held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, for one of Mississippi’s most beloved gospel singers, Leah Angela Curry-Williams (August 19,1965 – September 23, 2026). She was 61. Family and friends, including a large contingency of current and past members of the Mississippi Mass Choir, gathered at Black’s Chapel MBC in West Jackson to thank “Angie” for blessing them year in and year out with her anointed voice. On hand to welcome mourners were Pastor John O. McNeal; facilitator, Elder Matthew Donaldson of Liberal Trinity COGIC; and Officiant, Pastor Orlando D. Franklin, Unity Fellowship Baptist Church.
Angie began singing at the age of four, and as she grew, so did the gift and anointing upon her life. She regarded that anointing as one of the most treasured possessions. For Angie, singing was never simply about a beautiful voice – music was ministry, and her voice became an instrument through which she encouraged, inspired, and ministered to people throughout her life.
Angie’s commitment to ministry extended beyond the microphone. She was an honor graduate of the Layperson’s Bible School at Word of Faith Christian Center in Jackson, Mississippi, and was also a licensed cosmetologist. She faithfully served as a Praise and Worship Leader and Choir Directress, including at Unity Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Orlando D. Franklin. Whether directing a choir, leading worship, mentoring singers, or ministering on stage, Angie brought passion, conviction, and an unmistakable sound to everything she did.
Angie’s musical accomplishments were extensive. She was a three-time recipient of the Jackson Music Awards’ Female Vocalist of the Year honor. She was a charter member and lead singer of the Mississippi Mass Choir, becoming part of a legacy that influenced gospel music worldwide. Her distinctive voice can be heard on selections including “Near the Cross,” “I Need Thee,” “Yes,” “When God’s Children Get Together,” “God Cares,” “What Child Is This,” and “Unfailing Love.” On “Near the Cross” and “I Need Thee,” she sang alongside the late Frank Williams.
Angie also continued the musical legacy of her family as a member and lead singer of the D.R. Curry Memorial Choir and The Curry Family Singers, and additionally shared her gift with Dathan Thigpen & Holy Nation.
Throughout her career, Angie sang with and provided background vocals for many celebrated gospel and musical artists, including Doug Williams, Melvin Williams, The Williams Brothers, The Jackson Southernaires, Eddie Ruth Bradford, Rev. Cleophus Robinson Jr., Ruby Terry, Dorothy Moore, Dorothy Norwood, Louise Candie Davis, The Truthettes, The Gospel Keynotes, Derrick Horne, Lou Rawls, and others. She was also part of recording associated with Malaco Records’ Gospel Legends.
Angie was featured as a vocalist on the PBS production “Lomax, The Hound of Music,” and appeared during the second season of Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots.”
The voice that began at four years old would eventually be heard far beyond Mississippi. Angie traveled to nearly every state and ministered and performed internationally in Italy, Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Japan, Switzerland, and South Africa.
Spain held a special place in her journey. In November 2007, she joined Spanish artist Antonio Pitingo for a two-month, 34-concert tour in Madrid, Spain, and had the honor of performing a duet with Pitingo entitled “No Woman, No Cry.”
These experiences reflected the extraordinary reach of a gift that began in a family and a church and ultimately crossed cultures, countries, and continents.
Beyond the stages, recordings, and awards, Angie was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, mentor, and a woman of faith. Her greatest legacy lives in the people she loved, the singers she encouraged, the choirs she directed, the congregations she led in worship, and the countless lives touched through her ministry.
Angie carried a rich Curry family heritage of faith and music, adding her own remarkable chapter. Her life reminds us that when a gift is surrendered to God, its reach can extend farther than we could ever imagine.
Leah Angela Curry-Williams was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Talmadge Ambrose Williams; her parents, Superintendent David R. Curry Sr. and Lady Gladys D. Curry; her sister, Rachel Deloris Curry; and her brother, Samuel Hue Curry.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving siblings, David R. Curry Jr. (Emma Curry), Pastor Timothy L. Curry (Faye Curry), and Dorcus Curry Thigpen; her sister-in-law, Mittie Curry; along with her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, fellow musicians, friends, and countless others whose lives were forever touched by her presence, ministry, and music.
