Rev. Dale Troupe
My friend Rev. Dale C. Troupe has passed away. For many years Rev. Troupe would visit area nursing homes and sing the ole hymns to residents from his worn out hymnal. I offered to get Dale a new song book but he said “he’d stick with his tried and tested one.” Dale had a powerful voice and knew most of the hymns by heart and really didn’t need a songbook.
I met Dale when he would come most every Tuesday to St. Barnabas Nursing Home where my mother and brother were residents. Mom would go into the chapel and play the piano while Dale sang some of his favorites. These included Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Just a Little Talk with Jesus, His Hand in Mine, He lives, Power in the Blood, Amazing Grace, Face to Face and a host of others.
He would sing some of the songs a capella. The residents looked forward to Dale’s visit. If mother wasn’t feeling her best, Dale would spend a few minutes in her room, sing a song or two, then he would pray and go to the next room. When my mother passed away I asked Dale to sing at her memorial service. He did a beautiful job on “I Bowed on my Knees and cried Holy.” It was especially touching when Dale got to that part about entering the city. He changed the words to “She bowed on her knees and cried Holy.”
It’s been several years since I saw or talked with Dale Troupe. He’s now joined the Heavenly Choir singing God’s praises. It’s fitting he’ll spend his first weekend in Heaven at Easter praising his risen Savior in song. He wanted no credit for singing and often said all the praise and honor goes to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I’ll never forget his music ministry to those in the area nursing homes. He told me one time his life was filled with imperfections but like Job he knew his Redeemer lived and he would see Him one day. Dale Troupe loved to sing about Jesus."
Here is the obituary for "the singing preacher":
Dale Clay Troupe, Sr., was born in Forrest City, Arkansas on June 28, 1934, to Reverend G. G. Troupe and Mrs. Polly Davis Troupe. He passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Chattanooga.
He was the youngest of 11 children all preceding him in death except one sister, Dorothy Etherly. At age 16, after high school, Dale moved to Detroit, Michigan. Soon thereafter he married Shirley Mae Young, to this union of 18 years came three children; Teria Horne, Tamara Cook and Dale Troupe, Jr.
Dale worked 36 years at the U.S. Post Office where he retired. After retirement he moved to Chattanooga, where he remarried with Wendelyn Acklin. To this union of 16 years, they had one child, Clinton Troupe. Dale enjoyed playing solitaire, gardening, cooking, dancing and staying physically fit (exercising at the gym three times a week for decades). Most of all, he enjoyed spiritual activities, having accepted Christ at an early age. Dale became a Reverend and taught the Bible with anyone that he could. He sang at funerals, churches, and nursing homes with a voice that many called beautiful. Dale did all of this to the best of his abilities until his very last days. Around Chattanooga many called him the singing preacher. The singing preacher will be missed.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, four children, Teria, Tamara, Dale Jr., and Clinton; one sister, Dorothy; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 5, in the chapel of the John P Franklin Funeral Home.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.