By Mona Austin
After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995.
Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed.
If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of the biggest celebrity weddings of the year. Blossoms were everywhere, numbering into the thousands. The bride walked down the aisle with a spray of orchids wearin a long, fitted dress with a layered tulle train and veil. Her mate waited in a tailed black tuxedo jacket and gray pants. A wedding party of three groomsmen and bridesmaids stood by their sides along with two children on each side (who may have served as the junior bride and groom, flover girl and ring bearer.
Photos of the newlywed's nuptials are floating around online. Other than getting a sense that the event was intimate for a celebrity wedding, not many details came from what was shared. They opted not to have the ceremony at the church. The groom has appeared in several Tyler Perry films and shows. On one occasion he brouhgt his then irlfirned to a premiere, a rare occurence. Now that the couple has joined together in holy matrimony, the newlyweds may become for visible.
The couple's relationship has remained private, keeping fans curious. For example, how their love story began or which one of them had "cold feet" on the way to the alter is unknown. Yet, we do know that in his years of being single Winans never lost faith in love, despite his ex-wife having re-married many years before him. "I still believe in marraiges made in heaven," begins the song "I Still Believe" from the 2007 album "Alone But Not Alone." It continues, "I've been hurt, but not deceived. Regardless to what happens I still believe." The lyrics suggest that Winans has remained open to re-marrying but the timeline suggests he had reservations lon aftr Vickie left him. It is safe to assume that Carter must be a patient lady to have waited for over a decade for her beau to ask for her hand in marraige and to be the woman to whom the Bishop entrusted his heart after 3 decades.
At the 20 year reunion of the Perfected Praise Church Choir, his first wife asked him for forgiveness in 2010. "I guess everybody know [sic] by now I was his wife. I was her. If he had treated me better I would probably would still be her," she said smiling as her ex-husband laughed aloud standing close by. She asked the congregation to forgive her for anything she did to disappoint them and admitted that she was not supportive of him ststing a church initially. The former Mrs. Winans expessed to the pastor, "I loved you then and I love you now." (At the time, he would have been dating the former Ms. Carter.)
A glimpse at their special moment through photos was pleasant to see, but fans want more details. Who was on the guest list? Where there special perfornances? When you come for a famous family of singers you don't have to look far for talent to participate, but did they opt for other artists to perform? Did he serenade the bride? These details are yet to be determined. What we know for now is that the couple looked very happy and we may be seein more of the partners.
The Slice Report wishes the couple a blessed new beginning and everlastin love.