A longtime name in Southern Gospel music has gone to be with our Lord.  Hubert Cooke of the Singing Cookes passed away Monday afternoon from issues related to his heart.

A family representative posted the following to the group’s Facebook page:

Sorry for the late post but it’s been a difficult time for us. Dad (Hubert Cooke) passed away Monday around 3:50 PM. from heart failure. His request was not to have a funeral and to have a short grave side service. He also requested to be taken back to His childhood Home of Norton Virginia and be buried with his Mom, Dad and some of his brothers and sisters. Tomorrow we will honor his wishes. Please pray for our family. “Earths Loss Is Heavens Gain”

Hubert Cooke worked as a coal miner for 16 years.  He left the mine in 1962 and became a fulltime Bluegrass Gospel performer.  The group’s first national Southern Gospel release, He Rows Me Over The Tide, made its debut in 1977. It was a huge success for the family and it was re-released the following year.

According to WYMT Television, there will not be a funeral.  He will be buried in his childhood home of Norton, Virginia with his mother, father and several siblings.