Betty Gadling, retired Allen Temple Minister of Music, passed away, Tuesday April 16th.
Known throughout the Bay Area as a mentor, teacher, and encourager to many local musicians – Ms. Gadling was widely celebrated as a musical legend, who showed her visible support to many programs supporting the arts.
After serving 35 years at the Allen Temple Baptist Church as Minister of Music and Performing arts, she retired in 2011 – but did not disappear. You could easily find her at a special program, or service encouraging everyone, and smiling from ear-to-ear. Her Allen Temple Baptist Church honored her years of service by bestowing her with Emeritus status.
On the occasion of her retirement, Congresswomen Barbara Lee honored her with the following tribute from the floor of the US Congress:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of Ms. Betty Gadling. Known affectionately as “Sister Betty,” Ms. Gadling has served Allen Temple Baptist Church for 35 years as the venerable Minister of Music and Performing Arts.
A woman of many talents, Ms. Gadling has traveled the world as a performer, composed and published original pieces, recorded two albums of gospel music, directed numerous choral groups, and produced full-scale productions, such as The Black Nativity and The Celebration of Light. Through her passion and skill as a music instructor and mentor, she has developed countless programs that inspire our young people in the fields of music appreciation, instrumental instruction, voice lessons, music theory, business of music and ensemble playing.
Her contributions to the Bay Area through the Allen Temple Musical, Cultural and Performing Arts Committee are unmatched, and her musical gifts are only outweighed by her personal commitment to ministry, faith and service. In addition to a long musical career, Ms. Gadling was the first African-American female Sheriff in Contra Costa County, a valued staff member of the University of California, and an employee at Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base (now Travis Air Force Base) while pursuing a degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Read the full length of the 2011 Tribute here
She was loved by many, and will be missed dearly. We at Faith in the Bay send our thoughts and prayers to her family, and the Allen Temple Baptist Church.
Services Pending.
(Photos courtesy of Allen Temple Baptist Church)
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