What happened to Clara Ward?

What happened to Clara Ward?

Ward died on January 16, 1973 at age 48 as a result of the strokes. Aretha Franklin and Rev. C. L. Franklin sang at her funeral in Philadelphia; Marion Williams sang at her second memorial service held days later in Los Angeles.

Did Clara Ward have any children?

While Ward never remarried nor had children, she was a close friend of Reverend Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, Aretha Franklin’s father, whom the Ward Singers toured with throughout the 1950s.

How did Clara Ward influence Aretha Franklin?

Ward’s glamorous style, charismatic performances and her willingness to carry her faith and voice deep into the secular world provided Aretha with a model for how to approach her own career and musical development.