Cleavant Derricks (songwriter)

At age 21, Derricks directed a gospel choir of more than 100 voices in Washington, D.C. at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church. Derricks counted among his friends many well-known artists, one of whom was Mahalia Jackson. He was the pastor at churches throughout Tennessee at Dayton, Knoxville and Jackson; also in Beloit, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Along with being a pastor, Derricks was a church builder, choir director, poet, musician, and composer of note, having written more than 300 songs and several song books. Among his more famous songs are the much-recorded and performed "Just a Little Talk with Jesus^[1]," "When God Dipped His Love In My Heart,"^[6] "We'll Soon Be Done With Troubles and Trials," and "When He Blessed My Soul." He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1984.

Derricks had been a warrant officer in the United States Army, having enlisted in 1942. His term of service ended October 1945.^[7]

On 31 May, 1935, Derricks married Cecile, daughter of Ben F. Gay and Eugenia Gay, in Chattanooga. They lived in Washington, D.C., then Chattanooga, followed by Knoxville, Tennessee, where- having separated from his first wife after a few years- he married secondly Carrie Louise (1919-2005), daughter of Horace and Lovie Glanton. Their twin sons are actors Cleavant Derricks and Clinton Derricks-Carroll; they also had a daughter, Lovie Gwendoline. Derricks died 14 April, 1977 from colon cancer,^[8] and was buried at New Gray Cemetery in Knoxville.^[9]