Gaynell Delbridge was born as Gaynell Fannie Mae Hicks to Roland Hicks and Myrtle Thomas in Houston, Texas on October 31, 1918. Gaynell was born the only child, into a musical family. However, she shared a home with 16 relatives.
Which included her grandmother. Fannie Thomas; grandfather George Thomas Sr; mother, Myrtle Thomas; and her aunts and uncles the famous blues singers Beulah "Sippie'' Thomas-Wallace, Hersal Thomas, George Thomas, Jr, and Hociel Thomas.
The Thomas family introduced "|Boogie-Woogie'' music to the big cities outside of the South. They were known as "The Boogie-Woogie Family." Members of the Thomas family have recorded and sang songs with B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, and allot of other well-known musicians.
Gaynell was baptized at a young age at First Shiloh Baptist church in Houston, Texas where her father Roland Hicks was the Pastor. Her grandfather George Thomas, Sr. was a standing Deacon. Gaynell played piano and sang in the church choir with other members of her family. The Thomas family was frugal, but happy.
Although Gaynell also liked the sounds of Booogie-Woogie music, the children were not allowed to listen to or play secular music in the household. Nevertheless, the children would sneak down to tents and listen, play and dance to Jazz and the Boogie-Woogie music.
Gaynell attended school up until the age of 16. However, she liked the excitement and attention that her late aunts and uncles received from being famous musicians.
So, at the age of sixteen, she decided to leave Houston and began to travel with them. Gaynell moved from Houston Texas to Oakland, California She lived in Oakland, California for approximately 10 years. Then she settled in Detroit, Michigan (where she lived the majority of her life).
Gaynell was a homemaker. She wed twice to the late Jake Flaniken, and the late George Delbridge. Gaynell loved blues and gospel music. She was family oriented and well-known for her cooking and outspoken mannerism.
Although Gaynell would listen to all types of music play cards, and socialize during the week. She made it a priority to praise God on Sunday. She was a member of True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the late HB Robinson, Sr., and later a member of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Theron Hodges, Sr.
Gaynell leaves a legacy of five children. Presley Hicks (Martha), Sacramento, CA; Elbert Flaniken, Sharon Flaniken, both of Detroit, MI; Vanessa Hall (Johnnie), Dallas, TX and the late Thomas-paul Flaniken, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and best friend of 45 years, Lorraine Adams of Detroit, MI.
Gaynell transitioned and departed her life on October 24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas where she resided with her daughter, Vanessa Hall. Gaynell was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a generous friend. She leaves a heartwarming place in our hearts and will be remembered forever.
Which included her grandmother. Fannie Thomas; grandfather George Thomas Sr; mother, Myrtle Thomas; and her aunts and uncles the famous blues singers Beulah "Sippie'' Thomas-Wallace, Hersal Thomas, George Thomas, Jr, and Hociel Thomas.
The Thomas family introduced "|Boogie-Woogie'' music to the big cities outside of the South. They were known as "The Boogie-Woogie Family." Members of the Thomas family have recorded and sang songs with B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, and allot of other well-known musicians.
Gaynell was baptized at a young age at First Shiloh Baptist church in Houston, Texas where her father Roland Hicks was the Pastor. Her grandfather George Thomas, Sr. was a standing Deacon. Gaynell played piano and sang in the church choir with other members of her family. The Thomas family was frugal, but happy.
Although Gaynell also liked the sounds of Booogie-Woogie music, the children were not allowed to listen to or play secular music in the household. Nevertheless, the children would sneak down to tents and listen, play and dance to Jazz and the Boogie-Woogie music.
Gaynell attended school up until the age of 16. However, she liked the excitement and attention that her late aunts and uncles received from being famous musicians.
So, at the age of sixteen, she decided to leave Houston and began to travel with them. Gaynell moved from Houston Texas to Oakland, California She lived in Oakland, California for approximately 10 years. Then she settled in Detroit, Michigan (where she lived the majority of her life).
Gaynell was a homemaker. She wed twice to the late Jake Flaniken, and the late George Delbridge. Gaynell loved blues and gospel music. She was family oriented and well-known for her cooking and outspoken mannerism.
Although Gaynell would listen to all types of music play cards, and socialize during the week. She made it a priority to praise God on Sunday. She was a member of True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the late HB Robinson, Sr., and later a member of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Theron Hodges, Sr.
Gaynell leaves a legacy of five children. Presley Hicks (Martha), Sacramento, CA; Elbert Flaniken, Sharon Flaniken, both of Detroit, MI; Vanessa Hall (Johnnie), Dallas, TX and the late Thomas-paul Flaniken, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and best friend of 45 years, Lorraine Adams of Detroit, MI.
Gaynell transitioned and departed her life on October 24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas where she resided with her daughter, Vanessa Hall. Gaynell was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a generous friend. She leaves a heartwarming place in our hearts and will be remembered forever.
Gaynell Delbridge was born as Gaynell Fannie Mae Hicks to Roland Hicks and Myrtle Thomas in Houston, Texas on October 31, 1918. Gaynell was born the only child, into a musical family. However, she shared a home with 16 relatives.
Which included her grandmother. Fannie Thomas; grandfather George Thomas Sr; mother, Myrtle Thomas; and her aunts and uncles the famous blues singers Beulah "Sippie'' Thomas-Wallace, Hersal Thomas, George Thomas, Jr, and Hociel Thomas.
The Thomas family introduced "|Boogie-Woogie'' music to the big cities outside of the South. They were known as "The Boogie-Woogie Family." Members of the Thomas family have recorded and sang songs with B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, and allot of other well-known musicians.
Gaynell was baptized at a young age at First Shiloh Baptist church in Houston, Texas where her father Roland Hicks was the Pastor. Her grandfather George Thomas, Sr. was a standing Deacon. Gaynell played piano and sang in the church choir with other members of her family. The Thomas family was frugal, but happy.
Although Gaynell also liked the sounds of Booogie-Woogie music, the children were not allowed to listen to or play secular music in the household. Nevertheless, the children would sneak down to tents and listen, play and dance to Jazz and the Boogie-Woogie music.
Gaynell attended school up until the age of 16. However, she liked the excitement and attention that her late aunts and uncles received from being famous musicians.
So, at the age of sixteen, she decided to leave Houston and began to travel with them. Gaynell moved from Houston Texas to Oakland, California She lived in Oakland, California for approximately 10 years. Then she settled in Detroit, Michigan (where she lived the majority of her life).
Gaynell was a homemaker. She wed twice to the late Jake Flaniken, and the late George Delbridge. Gaynell loved blues and gospel music. She was family oriented and well-known for her cooking and outspoken mannerism.
Although Gaynell would listen to all types of music play cards, and socialize during the week. She made it a priority to praise God on Sunday. She was a member of True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the late HB Robinson, Sr., and later a member of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Theron Hodges, Sr.
Gaynell leaves a legacy of five children. Presley Hicks (Martha), Sacramento, CA; Elbert Flaniken, Sharon Flaniken, both of Detroit, MI; Vanessa Hall (Johnnie), Dallas, TX and the late Thomas-paul Flaniken, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and best friend of 45 years, Lorraine Adams of Detroit, MI.
Gaynell transitioned and departed her life on October 24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas where she resided with her daughter, Vanessa Hall. Gaynell was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a generous friend. She leaves a heartwarming place in our hearts and will be remembered forever.
Which included her grandmother. Fannie Thomas; grandfather George Thomas Sr; mother, Myrtle Thomas; and her aunts and uncles the famous blues singers Beulah "Sippie'' Thomas-Wallace, Hersal Thomas, George Thomas, Jr, and Hociel Thomas.
The Thomas family introduced "|Boogie-Woogie'' music to the big cities outside of the South. They were known as "The Boogie-Woogie Family." Members of the Thomas family have recorded and sang songs with B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, and allot of other well-known musicians.
Gaynell was baptized at a young age at First Shiloh Baptist church in Houston, Texas where her father Roland Hicks was the Pastor. Her grandfather George Thomas, Sr. was a standing Deacon. Gaynell played piano and sang in the church choir with other members of her family. The Thomas family was frugal, but happy.
Although Gaynell also liked the sounds of Booogie-Woogie music, the children were not allowed to listen to or play secular music in the household. Nevertheless, the children would sneak down to tents and listen, play and dance to Jazz and the Boogie-Woogie music.
Gaynell attended school up until the age of 16. However, she liked the excitement and attention that her late aunts and uncles received from being famous musicians.
So, at the age of sixteen, she decided to leave Houston and began to travel with them. Gaynell moved from Houston Texas to Oakland, California She lived in Oakland, California for approximately 10 years. Then she settled in Detroit, Michigan (where she lived the majority of her life).
Gaynell was a homemaker. She wed twice to the late Jake Flaniken, and the late George Delbridge. Gaynell loved blues and gospel music. She was family oriented and well-known for her cooking and outspoken mannerism.
Although Gaynell would listen to all types of music play cards, and socialize during the week. She made it a priority to praise God on Sunday. She was a member of True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the late HB Robinson, Sr., and later a member of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Theron Hodges, Sr.
Gaynell leaves a legacy of five children. Presley Hicks (Martha), Sacramento, CA; Elbert Flaniken, Sharon Flaniken, both of Detroit, MI; Vanessa Hall (Johnnie), Dallas, TX and the late Thomas-paul Flaniken, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and best friend of 45 years, Lorraine Adams of Detroit, MI.
Gaynell transitioned and departed her life on October 24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas where she resided with her daughter, Vanessa Hall. Gaynell was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a generous friend. She leaves a heartwarming place in our hearts and will be remembered forever.
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