Civil Rights Leader, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery< issued the following statement on the passing of Aretha Franklin:
"In addition to having an extraordinary voice, Aretha was a kind and God-fearing woman who loved her family, friends and community. My late wife and I were honored to have the icon come to Atlanta to sing for two benefit concerts for the Lowery Institute. I remember her singing her heart out for my 88th birthday celebration. We will miss her strong voice and infectious spirit, but songs like RESPECT and Say A Little Prayer will continue to keep our nation focused on achieving the dream her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin and others in the movement envisioned.
"On behalf of the Lowery family, we send our deepest condolences to the Franklin family."
Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
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Pastor Da’Quarius Green , a 31-year-old leader of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama, was shot on Dec. 23, 2025 and died several days later in the hospital after a domestic dispute at his home in Level Plains . Authorities have described the shooting as a “domestic incident” involving his wife, 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲. Local news station WTVY reported "c ourt records show that Green was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges 3 times in Houston County last year, with each of those cases dismissed. Also in 2024, a woman filed a protection order against Green in Houston County in which she believed him to be a danger," but did not confirm Mrs. Massey as the suspect. Various reports indicate the couple's children were present when he was shot in the head. In one instance, a woman who shared children with Green alleged that he repeatedly struck her , including once when she was pregnant. The sitution appears to be shaping int...