Gertrude V. Holt

Evangelist Gertrude V. Holt

Radio Hall of Fame

Inductee

Evangelist Gertrude V. Holt was a true pioneer in broadcasting. She broadcasted when women and African Americans were not welcome in the industry, dating back to 1954.

In 1958, Evangelist Holt became the producer and host of Morning Devotions, W.H.K.K., in Akron, Ohio. She also hosted the Gospel Program W.M.A.N. in 1964 in Mansfield, Ohio. After the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, she retitled the program, "The Music Has Changed". She and the broadcast, moved to Warren, Ohio W.H.H.H., and in 1968 she attended the Institute of Broadcast Arts W.P.I.C. in Sharon, Pennsylvania. There she obtained a Third Class Broadcast Engineers license from the FCC. In 1974, she enrolled in The University of Akron and in 1992, under three managers, Don Brogg, Rick Lampasome and retired General Manager Tom Beck, she graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communications. She also minored in Gerontology. As a student, she aired the Lutheran Hour, Mormon Hour, and Rev. Haye, later, "Dr. Martin Luther King Speaks" and "In Black America".

Evangelist Holt produced her program with W.A.U.P./W.Z.I.P. as a radio program host for over 30 years. She had the first and only gospel music program to air on W.A.U.P. Until her retirement, "The Music Has Changed" remained a traditional Gospel music program with community and current church announcements...it was never replaced, but her ministry on the air will be forever known throughout the region.

Evangelist Holt was preceded in death by parents, and husband, Elder Paul Holt, Sr.; son, Thomas W. Taylor, Jr.; sisters, Dahlia Woodie, Martha Amos, Florence (Sue) McDonald; brothers, Richard, Jr., Eugene and Charles Moorer. She is survived by and dearly loved her children, District Missionary Charlotte (Elder Larry) Vinson, Bishop Willie Joe (Carolyn) Courtney, Evangelist Diane (Pastor Paul) Jackson, Mother Dovie (Melvin) McDowell, Mother Karen (Elder JC) Black; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Mother Mary Woodie and Mother Loretta Patterson; brothers, Elder Kenneth (Mother Delores) Moorer, and Lawrence (Lee) Moorer; and a host of nieces, nephews, many friends, radio well-wishers and admiring supporters.

Homegoing service will be held Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Cascade Faith Ministries, Inc., 1670 Shatto Ave., Akron, OH 44313, Pastor Paul R. Jackson, Jr. eulogizing and Bishop Langford Floyd officiating. Interment Monday, April 27, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Procession will form and condolences may be sent to 980 Greenwood Ave., Akron, OH 44320.