I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.

My voice is my gift. And Pops had me using it in the right way. I had many offers to sing pop, to sing rhythm and blues. Pops said "Mavis, this record company want to give you a million dollars." I said, "No daddy, I want to sing with the family." And I did. I never wanted to branch out by myself. But I've had to now. It's my mission. I've been left here to do it. And I'm grateful.

Whenever somebody tells me they want me to stop singing, I'm gone.

I just had a wonderful life, and I couldn't ask for anything else.

There is a great feeling in a small venue, with the closeness of the people and the intimacy.

I won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.

I have to pinch myself sometimes. It's unbelievable, but it's not. Because I know that this would not be happening if it hadn't been for Dr. Martin Luther King.