Theola Kilgore, 79; 1960s-Era Rhythm and Blues Performer

Theola Kilgore, 79, a 1960s R & B singer who was best-known for her recordings of two Ed Townsend songs, “The Love of My Man” and “This Is My Prayer,” died Sunday at a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility.

A native of Oakland, Kilgore began singing in church and was a gospel singer when she met J.W. Alexander, Sam Cooke’s manager.

He introduced her to songwriter/producer Townsend.

With Townsend, Kilgore cut her first secular recording, an answer to Cooke’s “Chain Gang” titled “Sounds of My Man Working on the Chain Gang.”

“Love of My Man,” her biggest hit, and “This Is My Prayer” followed.