Ken Clubb

Along with his family, the southern gospel world mourns the passing of Kenneth H. “Ken” Clubb of The Ken Clubb Singers.  Ken never met a stranger and when he struck up a conversation with you, it didn’t take long before you knew he loved his family, Jesus, and singing southern gospel music.  He considered it to be music with a message; a message that he believed wholeheartedly, serving as the minister of music/worship leader at several churches in the West Columbia/Lexington area. Ken was a devoted husband to his wife of 66 years, Wilma Green Clubb, and a wonderful father to their three children: Ken (Kim) Clubb, Stan (Susan) Clubb, Sherri (Irby) Bachman - (4) grandchildren and (8) great grandchildren.  The family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201, where he was an active member of the church and choir.  

Ken tirelessly championed the cause of southern gospel music in and around South Carolina for more than 45 years.  He began hosting a radio show for his beloved wife, Wilma, on WSPA in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  After moving to Columbia, he quickly realized the absence of southern gospel music in the market and created and hosted the Grand Old Gospel Jubilee Radio Show on WQXL-AM.  He served as emcee for many years at the Jamil Temple’s Annual Southern Gospel Singing featuring The Kingsmen and Gold City and, of course, his favorite:  The Ken Clubb Singers.

His love of southern gospel music led him to hold monthly singings beginning at New Convenant Church in Springdale, South Carolina. Then moved to the senior center on B Avenue and finally finding a permanent home for more than 25 years at the Yellow Rock Hall in West Columbia, South Carolina. Ken helped many groups – both those that were just starting out and those that had been singing for a while – by featuring them at his monthly singings.  His own group, The Ken Clubb Singers, recorded numerous albums, cassettes and CDs – many of which he recorded and produced in his home studio.  If you were blessed to be a member of the group, he appreciated and loved each and every one; serving as a loyal friend and a bonus “Dad” – giving his opinion or advice whether you asked for it or not!  

In addition to singing, Ken played piano and bass guitar.  His favorite thing to do, however, was to sing and his favorite singing partner throughout the years was Wilma. He always had a good-natured and mischievous twinkle in his eye, an infectious laugh, and was always ready with a witty comeback or a funny (mostly true) story about one of his many fishing trips, something he and/or Wilma or one of the kids or grandkids had done, or something that happened at a singing.  And if you found yourself being the center of one of his stories or were on the receiving end of a good-natured ribbing, you could rest assured that you held a special place in his heart.

After his retirement from American Brand in the 90s, he decided he needed to get on the technology bandwagon and purchased a PC. For years he pecked out a newsletter for the Yellow Rock singings, kept up with the mailing list for the group, and even entered Avon orders for Wilma.  He kept in touch with his many friends through Facebook and email.

Ken will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  The family will hold a private service and wishes to thank everyone for their care and continued prayers.

Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family. 

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