By AFRO Staff
Sandra E. Crouch, senior pastor of New Christ Memorial Church, has died at age 81.
According to Billboard, the death came on March 17, while Crouch was at Northridge Hospital in Northridge, Calif. Crouch had been admitted to the hospital after receiving treatment for a non-cancerous lesion on her brain.
Crouch, the twin sister of the famed gospel artist, Andraé Crouch, was well known in the faith community and in the entertainment industry as a Grammy-award winning singer. In 1983, according to information from the Recording Academy, Crouch took home the Grammy Award for best soul gospel performance by a female artist. In addition to her vocals, she was known for her work in the percussion arena as well. Most notably, she played percussion for the Jackson 5’s hit classic, “I Want You Back.”
According to information released by the church that she pastored, Crouch “was ordained as an elder in 1998, but learned how to teach and preach long before that by watching her father the late Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch. She was a “dynamic and passionate servant of God” who strove to “make His Word relatable for all age groups.”
A musical tribute and viewing will honor Crouch on April 16. A celebration of life will be held for Crouch on April 17. All ceremonies will be held at New Christ Memorial Church, located at 13333 Vaughn Street in San Fernando, Calif.