James Lott dead: Sweet Holy Spirit Church or Chicago minister of music who recorded famed gospel performers

James Lott was 16 when his mother Dorothy and 15-year-old sister Tonjia were stabbed to death at their home in Woodlawn.

Bishop Larry D. Trotter tried to comfort him, but it was all too much for the young man.

“He took off running, the pain was so heavy,” said Trotter, the longtime senior pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago, 8621 S. South Chicago Ave.

But soon young James did something that had the congregation marveling at his strength, Trotter said: “He directed the choir at his mother’s funeral.”

Mr. Lott, 53, who rose from being a teenage tenor singing in the choir to the church’s minister of music, died Saturday. He had been in declining health as the result of a medical condition, according to Sean Howard, a spokesman for the church.

“I’m so used to seeing this fella directing a song, and, if the sound wasn’t right, running from the choir to the back of the church, talking to the sound man, and then he’d be back hugging the singers,” Trotter said.

Provided

The role of music minister encompassed everything from making sure that choir robes are immaculate to overseeing rehearsals, song selection, the sound system and arrangements. Mr. Lott also assigned solos and handled the choir’s bookings and…