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Artist honored by hometown

TYLER (KYTX) - Big honors for another special Tylerite. Tyler native VirLinda Stanton is a world renowned gospel music artist and actress. "I just thank God for all

TYLER (KYTX) - Big honors for another special Tylerite. Tyler native VirLinda Stanton is a world renowned gospel music artist and actress.

"I just thank God for allowing me to live to see this because a lot of people have these things happen to them and they can't see it." With a tear in her eye, 48-year-old Tyler native VirLinda Stanton held the street sign VirLinda Lane, formerly known as County Road 310. "You can't see it for the blockage of all the trees, but I grew up here and I walked up and down this County Road to catch the bus."

When VirLinda was just nine years old, her great grandmother unknowingly introduced her to her future. "She took me one night and said we're going to put you in the choir and let you sing. When I opened my mouth to start singing it was just like all this power just came out."

That power she said comes from the Holy Spirit and a singing career soon turned into musicals. "I did Disney two years over seas: Hercules the Musical, The Lion King, Toy Story, Tarzan."

Now, she's a co-star of the Oprah Winfrey production "The Color Purple National Broadway Tour".

"She's a product of our Smith County community, she's also a product of John Tyler," said Precinct 4 Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton. "It just says if you want to reach for the stars, if you put God first, and set your heart on what you want to do and keep your goals in mind, anyone can achieve what they want to achieve."

For Stanton, it was a goal to sing, that started on CR 310, and VirLinda Lane will forever stand as a symbol of the Tylerites determination and following her dreams. "From that point on I've been just wanting to sing sing sing sing sing wherever I could, whenever I could, I mean I'm walking down the road singing."

"The Color Purple National Broadway Tour" cast is on a break right now, and will start up again in January.

Before she joins that show again, VirLinda will be singing around Tyler the next few months:

October 8 - Dancing with the Stars, benefiting Tyler Aid Service

October 15 - 78th Annual Rose Festival Parade float, and an appreciation concert that night on the square in downtown Tyler

December 10 - Christmas Performance at Liberty Hall on the square in downtown Tyler

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