Dorinda clark-cole

Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark (March 26, 1925 - September 22, 1994) was an American gospel choir director and the mother of the world-renowned, Grammy award winning gospel group The Clark Sisters. Clark is also the aunt of renowned Grammy nominated contemporary Christian recording artist J. Moss. Mattie Juliet Moss was born the seventh of nine children to ministers Fred and Mattie J. (née Walker) Moss in Selma, Alabama. Moss began playing piano at six. By twelve, she had become the musician for her mother's services at the Church of Christ and Prayer and traveled with her mother to play at mission services, a trend she later would pass on to her daughter Twinkie. After high school, Mattie attended Selma University and studied classical music and choral singing. In the early 1940s, Dr. Clark relocated to Detroit, MI, the home of her sister Sybil Burke. Clark became a member of The Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Under the leadership of Bishop W. Rimson, Clark was baptized with the Holy Ghost and subsequently became the Minister of Music. She would go on to serve historic tenure as Minister of Music for both Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Temple Church of God in Christ, under Bishop John Seth Bailey. Soon she was in demand to train choirs at churches throughout the brotherhood of COGIC throughout the U.S.

In 1958, she recorded "Going to Heaven to Meet the King", with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, becoming the first person to commit the sounds of a choir to record. Clark is credited for creating the three-part harmony (separating vocal parts into soprano, alto and tenor), a technique which is prevalent among gospel choirs today. Clark received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of songs and recorded over 50 albums. She directed Cadillac Motor Company's Christmas choir for 11 years and also conducted community-wide mass choirs for the prestigious NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners. The Bishop J.O. Patterson appointed Clark as International President of the Music Department in 1968. Clark worked to instill within musicians and choirs a responsibility to Christ as well as capability for Christ.

Mattie Moss married twice. During her first marriage, she and husband, Mr. Cullum, had two children, Leo and Jacqueline. After their union ended in divorce, Clark met and married Elder Elbert Clark and had four daughters: Denise, Elbernita “Twinkie”, Dorinda and Karen. The Clarks divorced in 1973. Dr. Clark mentored her daughters, having them sing in her and church choir. In 1973, Dr. Clark sparked the forming of her daughter’s group The Clark Sisters. In 1979, Clark founded The Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, MI, which established itself as one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the country.
In 1981, Trinity College in Ambridge, PA conferred upon her one of their highest honors, the degree of Doctor of Humanity. After nearly ten years, Dr. Clark passed all responsibility of the group to daughter Twinkie, who became the leader of the group. Though she became less active in her daughters' career, she remained frequently supportive, even attending and performing with her daughters at the 1983 Grammy Awards.

After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as State Minister of Music of the COGIC Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1. Dr. Clark attended The Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard. She was also one of the editors and contributors to the hymnal published by the Church of God in Christ entitled, Yes, Lord. Dr. Clark completely revolutionized the music departments. She gave definition to the role of State Minister of Music. She traveled year-round to every state in the U.S. conducting workshops, rehearsals and musicals to prepare choirs for service on the National Church level. In addition, Clark organized the structure of the National Music Convention of the Church of God in Christ. Throughout her efforts, young people especially received her and many were saved, and uplifted by her music and message. Dr. Clark introduced the workshop and seminar concept to the convocation, and, along with her staff, structured classes for the convocation. Clark also created "A Star Is Born", a program where new talent was introduced before thousands in the faith. Despite failing health, Dr. Clark continued to record music into the last year of her life before succumbing to complications from diabetes on September 25, 1994 in Southfield, MI at the age of 69.