Mama Lou ends bible study with a group prayer at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, the church founded by her and her brother, Rev. Dr. Clay Evans. Although the two stepped away from their duties as pastor and choir director in order for new leadership to shape the church, Lou Della still makes a point to come to bible study. "You've got to know when it's your time. It was enjoyable, but sometimes you've got to know when to let the youth take over."

Despite the suffering from constant back pain, as soon as Mama Lou takes the stage to direct, it all falls away. "I feel like God is guiding my hands," she says.

A stylized painting of Mama Lou hangs above the fireplace in her living room. While on vacation in New Orlean 25 years ago, her niece found the painting available at a garage sale. "She went to them and she said, that's my aunt! And, of course, she bought it and brought it back here to me. Had to buy myself," she laughs.

Mama Lou blushes in embarrassment while being recognized at her 89th birthday party at the Greater Cathedral Tabernacle. Her birthday has become an inter-church celebration, uniting Chicago's community of faith in recognition of her contribution to gospel music and features choirs from around the city.

Mama Lou sits and enjoys the company of her brother, Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, 94, at his home in Beverly. "Half of him is me, and half of me is him," she says of their relationship. The two have been inseparable since leaving their home town of Brownsville, Tenn. for Chicago. Together they founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, hosted one of the most successful gospel music broadcasts in the country, and housed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he came to the city. "I know we're grown, but I still look up to him as my big brother. I can talk to him about my problems and ask for advice. He'll tell me if I'm on the right road."

"That's Clay and Jesse with that boxer man," says Lou Della about a photo of her brother Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Muhammad Ali. Through their work in the church, Clay and Lou Della were at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Chicago.

Before leaving the house of her 94-year-old brother, Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, Mama Lou, 89, shuts the curtains to allow him rest. She makes it a priority to visit and care for him when possible. Among their eight siblings, the two have been inseparable since they were young.

Lou Della followed her brother to Chicago from their hometown of Brownsville, Tenn., and together founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the gospel and civil rights movement in Chicago.

After receiving an invitation, Mama Lou travels to Greater Grace Church in Merrillville, Ind. to guest direct their choir and share new songs. Despite technically being retired, Mama Lou still visits and helps teach choirs all over the Chicagoland area.

A congregation member passes out after 'feeling the spirit' during one of Mama Lou's choir performances.

At her 89th birthday party, Mama Lou is greeted by Pastor James Bryson of First Church of Deliverance, and Pastor Ray Berryhill of Resurrected Life Church. Through her work in her own church, Fellowship Missionary Baptist, and working with other choirs in the area, including First Church and Resurrected Life, she has helped to shape face of gospel music in the city.

"These old fingers don't play so well anymore," says Mama Lou before belting out a rendition of the hymn "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior" on the piano in her home.

Mama Lou combs her hair before Easter Service at First Church of Deliverance. Every Sunday she wears white and goes through the same routine which she's been practicing for over 50 years.

"These last few days have been hard," says Mama Lou about her back pain, as she rests on her living room sofa. Despite her age, the 89-year-old makes a point to stay active, leaving the house for Chinese food with choir friends and going for daily walks on the treadmill.

Mama Lou jokes with one of her proteges, Malcolm Williams, the director of the choir Gospel Music According to Chicago. Despite her history as a strict traditional choir director, she gained a reputation as a jokester, always finding ways to lighten the mood and connect with her members.

"I don't measure," stresses Mama Lou about her sweet potato pie recipe, as she pours in scoops of sugar. Mama Lou is famous in the church community for two things: her talent as a gospel music director and her sweet potato pie.

Mama Lou stops to catch up with church members before the 10am service at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Wherever she goes Mama Lou finds herself in the middle of a crowd wanting to greet her. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she encouraged interdenominational relationships between churches and choirs, helping to unite the community.