Gospel singer, part of famed trio

The hawk defines Chicago blues and the sparrow is a metaphor for the city's soul.

The Barrett Sisters were Chicago's gospel songbirds in good times and bad.

DeLois Barrett Campbell, the soprano of the internationally known trio, died Tuesday in a Chicago hospital. She was 85.

Mrs. Campbell is regarded as one of the first sopranos of note in gospel music. The Barrett Sisters were inspired by the rich harmony of the legendary Roberta Martin Singers. Martin was anointed by "Father of Gospel" Thomas A. Dorsey to serve as accompanist of the junior choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Chicago.

Layered primarily over Martin's heavy piano, the singers stretched as …