Biography of Verna May Hall Linzey

Verna Linzey

At 90 years of age, Verna May Linzey (born May 17, 1919) is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, philanthropist, and host of “The Holy Spirit Today” television and radio programs. Bluegrass and Southern Gospel singing sensation Verna Linzey wrote “O Blessed Jesus.”

Early Life

Linzey was born to Carey and Alice Hall at the Hall Family homestead in Coffeyville, Kansas. Linzey grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas, with another highly respected hymn writer and childhood friend, Ira Stanphil, who routinely visited Verna (Hall) and her family at the Hall Music Store, owned by Verna’s parents.

Singer, Recording Artist, and Musician

A beautiful soprano, Verna Linzey began her singing career as a child with her family and in church choirs. Linzey’s recording career began in the 1950s when she recorded “He’s the Lord of Glory” on a reel to reel tape recorder in a friend’s living room. The recording was well received. At 90 years of age, Linzey now re-releases it on O Blessed Jesus. Besides singing and recording, Linzey plays the fiddle, piano, organ, accordion, and clarinet.

Television and Radio

Linzey was interviewed by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Christian television, and aboard the USS Midway regarding her perspectives on World War II. The host of “The Holy Spirit Today” radio and television broadcasts, Verna Linzey is a much admired household name. Now, Linzey’s own television programs are in demand around the world. Linzey’s radio programs have been broadcast throughout the North, Central and South America on American Voice Radio.

Philanthropy and Missions

“Mother Verna,” as she is endearingly called at orphanages, has a heart for needy children. A network of orphanages has been named in Verna Linzey’s honor—the Verna Linzey Child Care Ministry International (Philippines). Linzey has been a supporter of charity organizations and missions all her life, and has extensively travelled around the world. Robert H. Schuller stated, “You really are a most remarkable person and tremendous inspiration to all of us. God has blessed you with not only wisdom and insight but with a beautiful spirit as well.”

Theological Education

Reared as a Methodist, Linzey attended South Western Bible College in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1937-1938. Rather than complete her degree, Linzey got married, focused on singing, and eventually had ten children. Between 1975 and 1980, Linzey received the opportunity to continue her theological training by attending classes in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller Theological Seminary as a special guest. Doing so rounded out her theological education. And in 2001, Linzey was honored with a Doctor of Divinity degree from Kingsway Theological Seminary at Kingsway Cathedral.

Author

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit by Verna Linzey, DD, has been used as a text book in nearly 100 Bible Colleges around the world and distributed worldwide. The foreword was written by Russell P. Spittler, Ph.D., who is the Provost Emeritus of Fuller Theological Seminary. Endorsers of her work include James Dunn, D.D., who is Professor Emeritus of Durham University in England, and Vinson Synan, Ph.D. who is the Dean of the School of Divinity at Regent University, and many other reputable scholars. Linzey also wrote Spirit Baptism, which has also been endorsed by reputable scholars, and is used around the world. The foreword was written by Wonsuk Ma, Ph.D., who is the Director of the Oxford Centre for Missions Studies at Oxford. Dr. Colin Dye, Pastor of the historic Kensington Temple in London stated, “This book is a must read for all pastors and lay people today.” RADM Bennett S. Sparks, a Roman Catholic, who is a former Secretary General of the Congress of International Reservists, chartered by NATO, stated that Linzey’s books are “ecumenically relevant and based on academic research.” The Baptism with the Holy Spirit has been talked about and shown on television worldwide and in “Christianity Today.”

Military Ministry

A chaplain and officer with the rank of Admiral in Operation Freedom (a military ministry), Linzey is the eldest active chaplain in any type of military ministry. Linzey was named “Mother of the Fleet” (US Navy) by Captain Russell P. Spittler, CHC, USNR (Ret.). Linzey is the great, great niece of President Andrew Jackson, and the great grand daughter of John Milburn Hall who was a military chaplain in President George Washington’s Army.

Awards and Accolades

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit by Linzey is an award-winning book, earning Linzey the “Best Non-Fiction Book of the Year” Award in 2006 from the Christian Writers’ Guild. Linzey is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who Among American Women, International Centre of Biography in Cambridge, England (Verna’s ancestral country), 2000 Intellectuals of the 21st Century, and, as mentioned above, was honored with the Doctor of Divinity degree. Lt. Col. Oliver North stated to Linzey regarding this honor, “This is a big step in fulfilling your goals and dreams. We rejoice with you in the happiness that is yours today. Semper Fidelis!”

O Blessed Jesus

On O Blessed Jesus, Linzey records with major label recording artists—The Triumphant Quartet, which was nominated for a Grammy Award; Sisters, which is an award winning trio; and her son, Jim Linzey, who was in the final running for the Dove Awards. If you enjoy Bluegrass and Southern Gospel music from the heartland of America, then you would certainly enjoy O Blessed Jesus by Verna Linzey.