Verna May Hall Linzey, author of the Southern Gospel hymn “O Blessed Jesus,” appears during a televised rebroadcast prior to Memorial Day observances honoring her musical, military, and spiritual legacy.
New Gospel Recordings of “O Blessed Jesus” Honor the Legacy of Verna Linzey
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Cmdr. Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.)
May 26, 2026
SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 26, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — The life and legacy of hymnwriter Verna May Hall Linzey, author of the Southern Gospel hymn “O Blessed Jesus,” were honored during the 15th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 24, 2026, at Miramar National Cemetery. The observances were attended by veterans, military families, Sea Cadets, and community leaders. Verna Linzey and her husband, Capt. Stanford E. Linzey Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), a World War II Navy veteran and survivor of the sinking of the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway, are interred together at the cemetery.
Jessica Ashmore, Miss Military Star’s Oklahoma Elite, accompanied by Kathryn Ashmore, Miss Military Star’s Oklahoma Jr. Preteen, and Luke Ashmore, LC2 Apprentice Cadet in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, honors the gravesite of hymnwriter Verna Linzey during the Memorial Day observance at Miramar National Cemetery on May 24, 2026.
Among those paying tribute was Jessica Ashmore, Miss Military Star’s Oklahoma Elite, wife of Major Dan Ashmore, USMC, who is stationed at the Navy Marine Corps Reserve Center in San Diego as the Assistant Inspector Instructor with the 4th Medical Battalion. Mrs. Ashmore was accompanied by their daughter, Kathryn Ashmore (8), Miss Military Star’s Oklahoma Jr. Preteen, and their son, Luke Ashmore (10), an LC2 Apprentice Cadet in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
Approximately 20 Sea Cadets participated in support roles during the ceremonies. After learning more about the Linzeys’ lives from former Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Command Chaplain Cmdr. Don Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.), Ashmore and her children visited the gravesite to place American flags in honor of the couple’s musical, military, and spiritual legacy.
Verna Linzey became widely known as a television host, recording artist, hymnwriter, and author of the hymn “O Blessed Jesus,” as well as an author of numerous books, and in military circles as the Mother of the Fleet of the United States Navy, a title formally conferred by Adm. Frederick C. Johnson, USN (Ret.), in recognition of her work building what was then the largest Sunday School program in the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Moffett Field during the Vietnam War era. Her husband became widely known as both a survivor of the USS Yorktown and an author on the Pacific War. The Linzeys are also the parents of former Air Force Capt. James F. Linzey, composer of the United States Space Force Hymn.
Verna Linzey’s television program, “The Word with Dr. Verna Hall Linzey,” continues to air on God’s Learning Channel Wednesdays from 12:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Central Time. Livestreaming is also available.
“O Blessed Jesus” is a Southern Gospel hymn proclaiming the Christian message of salvation, hope, and eternal life. The hymn was originally released by Verna Linzey with the Triumphant Quartet and Sisters on LP record, cassette tape, and CD. Two new recordings are scheduled for release, introducing the hymn to new audiences nationwide: a Classic Gospel rendition and the original traditional Southern Gospel/Bluegrass arrangement, preserving Verna Linzey’s original musical style.
Listeners may hear and download sneak previews of the new recordings online through the following links:
• Classic Gospel Rendition
“O Blessed Jesus” — Classic Gospel Download
• Southern Gospel Rendition
“O Blessed Jesus” — Southern Gospel Download
The ceremony, hosted by the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, was themed “America 250: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice.” The public observance honored Americans who gave their lives in defense of freedom and featured patriotic music, military tributes, and remembrance observances attended by hundreds from across Southern California.
About the Author
Cmdr. Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.), is a recipient of the 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and former Command Chaplain of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Media Contact:
Commander Don Biadog
(858) 444-7125
chapbiadog@yahoo.com
SOURCE Cmdr. Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.)