A family is using its musical talent to share gospel music and remember a relative no longer with them.

The fourth annual Rejoice Memorial program will be at the Lincoln Civic Center Sunday. Hosted by Jackson Family Singers Productions, the program begins at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. Recording artist Tommy Smith will emcee the event.

“It’s a way to promote quartet music in our area and the surrounding area,” JFS representative Leola Blake said.

The purpose is to remember Blake’s brother, Clarence Jackson Sr., who was part of the Jackson Family Singers, their family singing group that performed for more than 20 years.

Advance tickets are $15 and tickets purchased at the door will be $20. For children ages 6-12, tickets are $10 only at the door. Children under 5 get in for free.

Groups featured include the Echoaires, Swanee Quintet, The Legendary Lighthouse Seniors, Electrifying Crownseekers, The Heavenly Echos, The Searchlight Singers, Sons of Christ and The Veal Brothers.

Groups featured are traveling from as close as McComb to as far as Augusta, Georgia. The program is expected to be three hours.

“We have been trying to support local and out of town artists that sing and praise God through song,” Blake said.

Blake said this program gives people a chance to hear gospel music in their area.

The Jackson Family Singers was composed of Blake and her siblings. The group got their start singing for their parents, who themselves had sung at a young age.

The group began performing for family at reunions and later at their church. They eventually branched out and sang at other churches and events in Pike and Amite counties.

“We need to support gospel artists,” Blake said. “We can praise God through song, and for some people that’s the only way they can do it.”

For more information, call JFS Productions at 601-551-9995 or 601-567-9992.

Story by Gracie Byrne