FBC Cedar Bluff sees 4-generation family in choir

At First Baptist Church, Cedar Bluff, the Bedwells — Venice, Billy Ray, Matthew and Matison — hold the distinction of representing four generations. And all of them sing in the church’s choir.

Actually, there’s a fifth-generation member of the family in the church, 11-month-old Natalie Bullard, but she’s a number of years away from joining them.

The oldest member of the family, Venice, is 92 years old. She has been a member of the Cherokee Baptist Association church since 1943 and has raised four children in the church.

Venice joined the choir several years ago after hearing people sing karaoke. “When I heard them sing I was convinced I could sing in the choir at church,” she said.

Billy Ray, Venice’s son, has attended First, Cedar Bluff, his entire life. At 10 years of age he was singing in the church choir. “Singing runs in our family,” Billy Ray explained.

Billy Ray’s wife, Charlotte, also sings in the church choir. “I love singing for the Lord,” Charlotte said. “I sing solos sometimes, and the song ‘Thank You’ is one of my most requested solos.”

Matthew, Billy Ray and Charlotte’s son, joined the choir only recently after he and his wife, Wendy, moved their membership to First, Cedar Bluff. “The people welcomed us in as if we had always been there,” Matthew said.

“When Matthew and Wendy joined our church, they hit the ground running,” explained Pastor Mark Cosby. “They are following the example of their parents and grandparents.”

Matison, Matthew and Wendy’s daughter and a 5th-grader at Cedar Bluff Elementary School, is the youngest member of the Bedwell family who sings in the church choir. “Music calms me and makes me feel happy,” Matison said.

Sometimes Matison, who loves art and science, sings special music in Sunday services along with one of her friends. Matison especially appreciates her church. “At my church they teach you the Bible.” 

Cosby describes the Bedwells as “pillars of the church.” “Our folks have lots of love and respect for them,” he said.

Tim Burgess, the church’s bivocational minister of music, understands how rare it is to have four generations in the choir. “This really is a unique situation,” Burgess said. “Having them in my choir is a privilege.”