The Harmonettes, a local gospel group, is looking for prayers of strength after the loss of two members this month.

The group of six has been together nearly 36 years and has recently lost two integral members of their group, Martha Smith and Wilbert Marvin.

“Just keep praying for us and that God strengthens us so that we can go on in his name and in the memory of the members we’ve lost,” Falisa Lacey, member of the Harmonettes said. “We’re all devastated right now, but we’re really trying.

“Through God’s grace, we’re going to make it,” she said.

The group thanks everyone for the prayers and the support that has been given over the years and they plan to continue to go out and praise God, Lacey said.

Smith, manager of the Harmonettes, was a great woman in the community and loved God, Lacey said.

“She did all she could for anybody that needed help,” she said. “She was a great inspiration and like another mom to me.”

Smith passed away on Sept., 19, and funeral services were held Fri., Sept. 26, at the St. Peter’s Baptist Church.

Marvin, the group’s musician and lead singer, was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed, Lacey said.

“We called him Mr. Walmart because he loved his job,” she said.

“He was with me a long time,” former Walmart Manager Jim Wilcox said. “He worked back in electronics and was very reliable. He always spoke and always talked to the customers.”

His favorite song and the one most people requested was “All of My Health Comes from the Lord,” Lacey said.

Marvin passed away on Sept. 25, and his funeral will be held Sat., Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church, in River Falls. A public visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday evening at the Marshall-Hammonds Funeral Home.

Lacey said the group would continue to go out and praise God.

“We may have to regroup and it will take a while,” she said. “We will never be able to replace the members we’ve lost, but we will continue to go out and praise God and do the best we can.”

One other member, Lacey’s mother Louise Marvin, has faced illness as well. Lacey said she is recovering.

“Keep praying for us and that God strengthen us so that we can go on in his name and in the memory of the members we’ve lost,” she said.