The gospel community is in mourning after learning of the death of Bishop Rance L. Allen, passed away Saturday, Oct. 31. He was 71 years old.
“While recovering from a medical procedure at Heartland Promedica [in Sylvania, OH], Bishop Rance Allen passed away around 3 AM this morning,” Bishop Allen’s wife of 49 years, Ellen Allen, and his manager, Toby Jackson, said in a joint statement posted to The Rance Allen Group on Facebook.
Bryan Scott, the president of the Bishop’s record Label, Tyscot Records, also released a statement saying, “I wasn’t expecting to hear this news this morning. This is a great loss to us personally but also to the church community at large.”
The highly celebrated singer and minister was best known for his gospel hit “Something About the Name Jesus.” Born in 1948 in Monroe, Michigan, Allen was one of 12 children. At the age of five, he began his preaching ministry, and, by nine, he had already made his way throughout Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania spreading the word of the gospel. According to the group’s website, in 1969, Allen founded The Rance Allen Group with his brothers Tom and Steve.
After being ordained in 1978, Allen served more than six years as an associate pastor of Holiness Temple Church of God In Christ (COGIC) in Monroe, Michigan. In 1985, the late Bishop Gilbert Patterson founded New Bethel Church in Toledo, Ohio, where he appointed Allen as pastor. Allen also served on the board of the Neighborhood Improvement Foundation of Toledo, Inc., a community organization whose mission was dedicated to improving inner-city environments.
“Bishop Allen’s unique vocal ministry was an indispensable sound within the Church of God in Christ and Christendom. His gift transcended the boundaries of musical genre as he remained a sought after personality called to perform on global venues,” Bishop Robert G. Rudolph Jr. of COGIC said in a statement. He added, “During this time of uncertainty, we request the continued prayers as well as acts of emotional and spiritual support for the family.”
Celebrities reacted to the bishop’s passing, including gospel star Kirk Franklin who shared a video on his Instagram page upon receiving the tragic news. “I just woke up to some of the worse news ever,” a teary-eyed Franklin started his clip. He continued, “You guys remember that song that God gave me several years ago called ‘Something About the Name Jesus’ that had that incredible Rance Allen. Man, we lost Rance Allen. I just got a call that we lost Rance Allen.” A visibly emotional Franklin reveals that he had recently written and produced Allen’s first single and was currently working on a plan to fly 21-year-old gospel star Kelontae Gavin down to finish the track.
Soul singer Ledisi also sent her condolences on Twitter, writing, “Bishop #RanceAllen Thank You for being MORE. You were a revolutionary as well. (Not a Meme of vocal riffs.)You were so much more. You inspired me and to think we never met. Rest Well. Praying for your family and all who love you. This was my introduction to you.”
Gospel star CeCe Winans reflected on her childhood memories as she mourned Allen’s death, writing, “Losing Rance Allen reminded me of how much fun we had dancing to his music as kids. I sent this to my family group text and I’m sharing it with all of you. Ladies and Gentlemen, the original choreography from the Winans household! #RanceAllen.”
Check out the reactions from other celebrities below.
