Shirley Caesar: The First Lady Of Gospel

Celebration of Gospel mainstay Shirley Caesar returns.

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The Beginning - A native of Durham, NC, Shirley Caesar began her professional music career when she was 18 as a part of the Gospel group the Caravans.                                                                               (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

First Lady Of Gospel - Shirley Caesar is affectionately known as the "First Lady Of Gospel." (Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

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Golden Girl - Shirley Caesar has won 11 Grammy Awards, one factor of many that cement her status as a Gospel icon.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

Pastor Caesar - Shirley Caesar isn't just a gospel artist, she's also Pastor of Mt. Calvary Word Of Faith Church in North Carolina with her husband. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Facts! - She has recorded over 30 albums and been featured on 16 complications. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Sister Shirley - Sister Shirley is an honorary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

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Take 'Em to Church - Shirley Caesar became known as the First Lady of Gospel not only because of her musical accomplishment but her extraordinary ability to fuse the word with her music.  (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

More Than Music  - She is more than music, she also spearheads Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, where she spreads the Gospel and contributes her time and energy to improve the lives of others. (Photo: Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

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More Than Music  - She is more than music, she also spearheads Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, where she spreads the Gospel and contributes her time and energy to improve the lives of others. (Photo: Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)