The Queen of Gospel, Albertina Walker passed away after a long battle with illness. She was 81.

She recently had trouble breathing and was rushed to a Chicago Hospital where she was placed on a ventilator.

After receiving reports of millions of people praying for her she released a statement thanking everyone for their prayers and well wishes. Details of her services are still pending.

Albertina Walker was born in 1929 in Chicago, IL. At the age of four, Walker began singing in the Children's Choir of the West Point Baptist Church under the direction of Professor Pete Williams. In 1951 at just twenty two years of age Walker organized her own group, the world famous CARAVANS. The original group the Caravans consisted of Elyse Yancy, Nellie Grace Daniels, and OraLee Hopkins Samson.

Later the group launched the careers of Pastor Shirley Caesar, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, Cassietta George, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood and the "King of Gospel" the Reverend James Cleveland. This rightfully earned Walker the title "The Star Maker" since she was the one who discovered these legends of Gospel music. The Caravans achieved great success acclaimed household name with hits like Sweeping Through The City, Mary Don't You Weep, Walk Around Heaven, and Lord Keep Me Day By Day.

After a stellar career with the Caravans, she went on to success as a solo artist, recording her first project Put A Little Love In Your Heart in 1975. To date, she has recorded over 60 albums, including gold selling hits Please Be Patient With Me, I Can Go To God In Prayer, The Best Is Yet To Come, Impossible Dream, and Joy Will Come.

Please keep the family of Albertina Walker in your prayers.