We received word early this morning that Vestal Goodman has passed away. She had been ill with the flu and turned worse last evening. Please remember the Goodman family in your prayers.
We will post more info as we receive it.
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 12/28/2003
| 
Category: News & Scoops
Comments: 151
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| We received word early this morning that Vestal Goodman has passed away. She had been ill with the flu and turned worse last evening. Please remember the Goodman family in your prayers.
We will post more info as we receive it.
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/ Written: 12/28/2003
| Category: News & Scoops Comments: 151 RSS Feed
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I loved this lady. There will never be another one like her.
I grew up to the Happy Jubilee. I was always an admirer of her. She has blessed me so many times with her word and song. I will truly miss her. I feel a part of my life is now in Heaven. I know they are shouting there today.
:cry: SAD DAY
:cry: I wept when I read of her passing. I lost a heroine. I so glad I got to see her in person with Gaither and then on the Final Stand tour. She is our loss and heaven's gain. I regret I never to meet her.
I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF A WONDERFUL LADY,I HAVE SEEN HER PLENTY OF TIMES IN ATLANTA.WHEN I HAVE WENT TO THE GAITHER CONCERT'S ALONG WITH HOWARD.SHE IS NOW IN THE ARMS OF JESUS AND REJOICING WITH HOWARD AND RUSTY.THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. SHE WILL BE TRUELY MISSED,BUT LOOK AT HER REWARD,FOR SHE KNEW WHAT WAS WAITING FOR HER.
To the Goodman Family, Our prayers are with you.
When I heard of her death, I was sad, then I remembered she had so many waiting for her on the other side. I mourn the loss, but what a happy reunion they are having. You will be greatly missed, but the choir in Heaven just got it's lead singer. You were and will always be an inspiration to me.
WE WILL ALL MISS VESTAL BECAUSE SHE WAS WELL LOVED BY US ALL AND A LEGEND IN HER OWN TIME!I THANK GOD THAT I HAD THE PRIVELEDGE TO MEET HER AND VESTAL AT NQC! WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR ALL THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!GOD BLESS YOU!
:cry: Loveable Vestial, you will be greatly missed by us here, but we will have a grand reunion over there. You have given to me such inspriation over the years. Thank you for all the great songs that you have blessed us with while you were here. I thank God that I was privaledged to be able to meet with you face to face. We will miss you.
OOPS,I MEAN THAT I HAD THE PRIVELEDGE TO MEET HER AND HOWARD AT NQC!
Like so many I grew up listening to Jubilee on Sunday mornings. I had no idea then the impact Vestal, Howard and all the Goodman's would have on my heart. I ended up marrying a "quartet man" who loved and lived for the Gospel message that caused Vestal's life to have such impact. My husband was among those there to greet Vestal, and what a happy time they are all having now! I'll miss Vestal too, but the music and the message live on as do the love and prayers she so wonderfully shared. See
:cry: Being also from Kentucky,The Happy Goodman Family was the first group I played on WRUS in Russellville,Ky.Now in Dallas,the Goodmans are still the most requested gospel group I play on KSKY..God sent us an earthly angel in Vestal and now HE rejoined her with her loved ones to sing for eternity in HIS Heavenly choir..Vestal,The Goodmans will always be on the radio on this earth till Jesus comes, and you are still #1.
:cry: What sad news. She was one of a kind and a joy to see and hear in person.
Vestal was a great gospel singer. She was one of my favorites. Maybe she is singing with my Oppa in Heaven.
:cry: the gospel legend will never be the same any more for a wonderful lady has died our hearts and prayers go out to the family
:angel: Heaven's choir might have added its strongest female soprano today. I will miss Vestal mighty witness in song.
:cry:A sad day for us all to hear of a great lady paaing on. But oh what joy to be singing in the heavenly chior. Sadly missed but never forgotten
A golden voice has passed on to the heavens. I can see Vestal singing to Jesus wuth a big smile on his face. Thank you Vestal for the wonderful songs and your wonderful voice. I will miss you very much.
A Sad Christmas for me just got a little sader. A gift of fire for Nancy and I on Christmas Eve. Then to hear that Vestal, our inspiration and our hero has passed. We will pray for the Goodman Family and tell them we love them with all our heart. Our thoughts and prys are with you.
Vestal, I will always remember you! Thankls for the music!!!!
I have always enjoyed hearing the happy goodmans on the radio. Last year, just about this same time, i had the priviledge of seeing her in a gaither homecoming concert. I remember music started and a voice started singing, but the audience couldn't see where the voice familiar voice came from. However, it was only moments till that familiar voice found a face(and a hankie in one hand) as vestal graciously walked to the center of the stage from the audience. Even though i am only 20, i appreciate what she did for this musical form. I was looking foward to seeing her in 2 weeks at the gaither homecoming concert, but instead she is having a homecoming of her own.
WELL, SHE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY, SINGER AND SHE WILL BE MISSED. HEAVEN MUST HAVE ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR HER. SOMEDAY WILL SEE HER AGAIN AND IT WON'T BE LONG. WE LOVE YOU
Vestal will be greatly missed. It hurts to see the pillars of southern gospel music passing away, but it must be some kind of reunion in Heaven right now. I've also heard that Jake Hess has been given only hours to live. Both families are our prayers.
I remember watching the happy goodmans on sunday morns. with my dad back in the late 60's, such wonderful memories they gave. My wife & I were blessed with seeing Vestal live with the gaithers christmas reunion in Atlanta just three weeks ago. We will always cherish this experience. we also got to see Jake Hess for the first & last time,at least here on earth. May GOD Bless the families of both these wonderful souls at the time of their homegoing. Thanks for all the inspiration. see you someday on that eastern shore.
Vestal Goodman was a real Christian Lady. I will briefly tell my story. I have always been a fan of the Happy Goodman family, and Vestal has been my favorite female gospel singer. He has a special anointing. I had seen her at a homecoming concert 4 years ago and she had a concert in our area this summer. I have a son, Isaiah, who is 4 years old who is blind and he loves gospel music. We took him to this concert. I had the opportunity to meet Rick Goodman and told him about my son, and asked if Vestal felt led, would she pray for him. At intermisson, My wife, myself , and Isaiah were taken to meet Vestal. She encouraged us and prayed for our son and our family. She told us to get ready for his healing would be coming.
Yesterday I heard the Homecoming arrangement of "Where Could I Go?" that featured Vestal and Hovie Lister and others on the radio and I remember thinking at that moment that we all owe so much to Bill Gaither who made sure that another generation - my generation of 30somethings and under -knew all of these wonderful folks. How timely it was for him to gather them together before they started departing for another type of homecoming!
My Hero! The Queen BEE of Gospel Music!
:cry:
:cry:
Rick, It won't be the same down here, but it is an enlargement of Heaven. Our prayers are with you and the Goodman Family
Vestal Goodman was a legend in Southern Gospel Music. If anyone deserved that status, she did. Her style and grace have been acknowledge by individuals within and outside of the SGM industry. She, along with the rest of the Happy Goodmans, changed SGM for the better when they came on the scene. I am a better person, a better singer, and a blessed man because of the impact she and all of the Happy Goodmans had on my life and my ministry. I thank God for sharing them with us for a short while. Wow, that heavenly choir must sound sweet today!!
What a heartbreak and shock to hear about Vestal's passing. She was the true article and the spirit was always present in her music and life. I pray that the Lord will raise up another like her in this generation, though no one will ever take her place. What a reunion that must've been when she stepped off on that golden shore! I thank God for her and her ministry, I can't imagine the rewards she's going to receive!
Vestal was a dear friend to me and I played for her to sing many times when they lived in Evansville, IN where I was staff organist at a local church. When they dedicated their beautiful church in Morganfield KY I played for that service. She was always gracious and ready to encourage and pray for anyone around. She represented stability to others in the singing world, and did much to keep everyone around her focused on the Lord and to help them remember the real reason for singing gospel. Truly I found no fault in Vestal Goodman. And I look forward to doing music with her in Heaven!
:angel: Vestal was an inspiration to many. I'll never forget how she laid her hand on my son when he was only around 10 years of age and prayed for God's healing and keeping power on him. I fell in love with her years ago and looked to her as a heroine in my life. Heaven has gained and earth has lost.......as it should be! Soon we'll all be together again around God's throne giving Him praise for all things He has blessed us with, including giving us the Vestal's in our lives.
:angel: After hearing about Vestal, I was saddened by the news.. She was and still is the best singer in gosple music. We may have lost her body, but Praise the LORD we still have her in our spirts and our hearts.. As long as we still have her music, we still have her as with the rest of the southern gosple music folks that have went to be with the LORD.. We will meet again on the other side of Jordan and what a time we will have up there.. My prayers and thoughts are with the family..
HOW SAD I WAS TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF SUCH A WONDERFUL WOMAN. THE GOODMAN FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A PART OF MY LIFE. MY DAD LOVED THEIR MUSIC. RUSTY PASSED AWAY ON THE DAY WE BURIED MY MOM AND WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS NOW SINGING WITH ONE OF HER ALL TIME FAVORITES. WHAT A GLAD REUNION THEY ALL MUST BE HAVING. TO HER FAMILY, AND HER STAFF... HEARTFELT PRAYERS
i was very saddened to hear of vestal's death as i have all the other greats that i have grown up with, i started attending concerts in the early 50's and was so thrilled when bill gaither started bringing them back. what a wonderful time we will all have in heaven. god bless her son, daughter and grandchilden and all the fans who will miss her so much. :angel: :angel: :angel:
Heaven's Sounding Sweeter All The Time!I can almost hear the Happy Goodman Family now, Rusty, Sam, Howard and now Vestal, what a wonderful thing to look forward to. Our prayers are with you family. God Bless You All!Thanks to Bill Gaither for putting all the pioneers on video for us!!
I'm so sorry to hear that Vestal is gone. But, I know that she is happy with Howard and the rest of the Happy Goodman's and that they are all singing around the throne like no one else ever has or ever will... She was the absolute Queen of Southern Gospel Music!!! I loved her dearly.
i loved Vestal very much in the short 2 years that i came to know her through her music . she has helped me through many hard times in life. her death was so sudden and SHOCKING becaue the other day i was listening to her with my grandparents about three days before christmas and i was asking myself what in the world will the gospel community do with out her but i guess we will soon find out ....to her family i hope you know that this woman has gone to the place were she dreamed of for so long and know she is finally there . she will be missed very much ..I LOVE you VESTAL sing your heart out and wait for me for i will be there soon. Rest in Peace..Vestal Goodman..Aaliyah..and the beautiful Lisa"LeftEye"Lopes!
What a lady!! There will not be another to come along with the recognizable voice as Vestal. As good and dynamic as her voice was, maybe more important was her role as a faithful PRAYER WARRIOR!! She was by far they best female Southern Gospel Singer, and she lived what she sang about. Congratulations to her on reaching her goal--seeing the Saviour she sang about. Thank you Jesus for sharing her with us.
Although I am, crying on the outside, I am rejoicing on the inside, for I know how Vestal longed to be with Howard in heaven. I had the opportunity to meet her at a concert in Ft. Worth in October and what a memorable event it was! Although I'm only 22, Vestal has always been my favorit female singer, and it was a dream come true when Rick announced that she would be signing autographs after the concert. I am a Music Pastor at a small Assembly of God church and was really down and discouraged at the time, had even considered walking away from the ministry. When i met Vestal, I walked up and hugged her and she looked me straight in the eye and said "Darlin, don't you ever stop singin." I have an 8x10" photograph of that very moment hanging in my office at the church. And every time I get down and ready to give up, I look up at the picture and I still hear her sweet voice saying those sincere words to me. Vestal I love you and will miss you. I look forward to seeing you again someday. Thanks to you and your encouragement, "I'd do it all over again!". :cry: :cry:
Now the best music outside of Heaven has another legend who has been promoted to the biggest homecoming of all. Vestal was a witness to many even outside the southern gospel ranks. May God's love surround the family at this time until we are all able to 'sing in the choir'!!!
We have been so blessed by the Goodmans and will miss Vestal's singing. It was so wonderful to hear her a few years ago at a concert. Her love for the Lord was evident. She will be Happy in heaven. :cry:
We're going to miss you Vestal. I'll miss hearing you sing "God Walks the Dark Hills" Go worship our great King Jesus and we'll see you soon. Thanks for being my music mentor as a child, the Goodmans are still my favorite.
:cry: How sad to hear of Vestal's death. She is alive in heaven with her family and rejoicing with Jesus. Thank you Lord for lending her to us and giving her such talent. She glorified You name.
We will miss her so much at Jubilate! on New Year's Eve!!! What an awesome lady and woman of God she was! Can't you just see her smiling at Jesus?????
:cry: What a sad day. I grew up singing all the Goodman's music with 2 brothers. First Baptist of Jacksonville calls me Vestal. All of the pioneers of gospel music as we know it today are almost gone - I guess they will live on forever in our hearts. I will never forget her singing "God Walks the Dark Hills" - would give anything to be able to sing with her - someday I will.
There will never be another Vestal Goodman. What a voice and what a lady! Heaven must still be counting the lives she has touched through her ministry and, with the recorded media, it will continue until Jesus comes again. The Galileans were at our church last night and I thought Bro. Paul was going to lose control when he began talking about his memories of Vestal. She was surely an inspiration to us all.
:( I am so sorry about Vestal Goodman, her death is a great loss. I have several records of the Goodman's. I loved listening to her sing about our Saviour.
Howard, Vestal, Sam, Rusty & my dad, Johnny Cook, all singing together again! I can't wait to hear them again. While I'm sad to hear about Vestal, I know she's home. I grew up & was practically raised by the Goodmans for many years. Now, they can have a reunion like no other! My prayers are with Rick & all of the other Goodman family members.
A very very sad day in gospel music. I have listened to The Goodmans every since I was a kid. although I am saddened over her loss I am rejoicing because she has made it home. What a singing they will have in heaven now. Vestal, Howard, Rusty & Sam together again along with Rex, J.D., Hovie, Danny Gaither, James Blackwood and other legends. WHAT A CHOIR!!!!! God bless you my dear sister.
I was looking forward to seeing Vestal again in Charleston on Feb. 21. Although she won't be there, she has a better homecoming now...she's singing with Howard, Rusty, J.D., Hovie, James, Rex, Glenn, Brock...what a sight that must be! We'll miss you, Vestal.
It's a surprise to hear that Vestal Goodman died, I send all my condolenses to the Family, and we will surely miss her.
:p :angel: I'm so sorry to hea about Vestals passing as i justsaw her at the Hampton coliseum but I knows shes happy to be with her family and Jesus now. We will really miss her. Joanne
To the Goodman Family:
What a wonderful servant of the Lord! And she is now present with Jesus! Vestal will be missed, but not for long --- for someday all of us, who were drawn closer to Jesus through her ministry, will join with her, and Howard around that same throne! Praise God for such a wonderful blessing, a blessing we all knew as Vestal!
What a wonderful servant of the Lord! And she is now present with Jesus! Vestal will be missed, but not for long --- for someday all of us, who were drawn closer to Jesus through her ministry, will join with her, and Howard around that same throne! Praise God for such a wonderful blessing, a blessing we all knew as Vestal!
I know now who's leading that Heavenly Choir!!!! :thumbsup:
I had the pleasure of helping Vestal out at Vanderbilt ER when I volunteered and she would come in.She was an angel.She always had a laugh and uplifting thing to say to all of us.I had the chance to say good-bye to Glen Payne at Vanderbilt also.These legends went out as they lived among us-Happy and full of love.She is a true ICON-I loved her and I dreaded the day she would leave us.
I'll always treasure the 13th of December 2003. It's the first time I'd ever seen Vestal in person. I didn't know quite what to expect, but was deeply touched when Bill Gaither asked her to change her second song to "That sounds like home to me". I had lost my first love two months before that Christmas Homecoming Concert and the words Bill gave and the song itself moved me deeply. You could see hurt and a trace of disappointment in her eyes, but it turned to the sweetest smile I'd seen when it came to the lines that proclaimed the hopes of a better place and meeting loved ones again. I envy her, she is where my heart longs to be, but she's worked so hard for it and deserves every joy that has awaited her. Your family's music has been my treasure. I will miss you Vestal, but may you and my Steph have a grand reunion and the rest of us will be along soon.
we are so sad to hear of vestals passing, the whole goodman family will be in our prayers. :cry:
Another saint gone home. I'm sure when Vestal walked through the gates, all the souls in heaven heard her tremendous voice above all others as we can only imagine how much sweeter it can only be.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Vestal's passing. She was truly a wonderful lady. The hankies are all waving for Vestal's homecoming!
Just 2 weeks ago we saw her in Atlanta singing about the longing to go "home". Well Vestal, you're home now. Our loss is heaven's gain. We love you.
Just 2 weeks ago we saw her in Atlanta singing about the longing to go "home". Well Vestal, you're home now. Our loss is heaven's gain. We love you.
Vestel was one in a millon. She will be so deeply missed. She has finished her journey that she started along time ago. The choir in Heaven must be out of this world. My prays are with the family, and the other artist. :cry:
:cry:
I am so sorry to hear that Vestal died. I got to meet her. I know she is in Heaven singing with Howard,Brock,and all of the other homecoming friends that have died.I will miss her a lot.I love you Vestal. Rest in Peace. She is in Heaven with my 2 grandmothers and my other family members that have died.
I just became a fan of Vestal Goodman, learning about her and hearing her songs through my grandmother. My Sunday school teacher gave me a tape of her only a few weeks ago. I know Jesus is going to enjoy her as much as I have! :rolleyes:
What a wonderful day it must be in heaven when saints such as Vestal are taken home to be with our Great Creat!!!
The Happy Goodmans along with Vestal were a regular group on the PTL club. Has the History of Southern Gospel forgotten how important that PTL Club was for singers such as the Happy Goodmans and many others? God bless Vestal. I last saw her several years ago at a Gaithers Homecoming Concert here in Kansas city. People interested in gospel music and Tammy faye can subscribe to the Tammy Faye Discussion LIst: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Jim Bakker is back on television http://thejimbakkershow.com and you can join an email list about him at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) What a wonderful day it must be in heaven when saints such as Vestal are taken home to be with our Great Creat!!!
The Happy Goodmans along with Vestal were a regular group on the PTL club. Has the History of Southern Gospel forgotten how important that PTL Club was for singers such as the Happy Goodmans and many others? God bless Vestal. I last saw her several years ago at a Gaithers Homecoming Concert here in Kansas city. People interested in gospel music and Tammy faye can subscribe to the Tammy Faye Discussion LIst: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Jim Bakker is back on television http://thejimbakkershow.com and you can join an email list about him at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Like so many others I grew up listening to the Happy Goodman Family. I enjoyed them so much. I got to see them in concert back in 1998 in Milwaukee WI at a Homecoming Concert with Bill Gaither. I just sat in my seat and stared at them repeating over and over Oh WOW, That's Howard and Vestal!!!! What a wonderful homecoming is taking place in Heaven. I will sorely miss seeing Vestal waving her hanky and seeing Howard with his cane, but you know, some day soon we will all get to see them and many many more of our loved ones and they will be at Heaven's Gates waiting to welcome us all home. Praise God. My prayers are with the family and friends of this great woman of God. Just remember we will see her soon and the "Homecoming" which will be so wonderful that our earthly bodies could never handle it. God Bless the Gospel music singers who bring the word of God to others through their song ministry. Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me; for in my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you may be also. Lift up My name among all people! Glory to God in the Highest!!!
Vestal was one of a kind. Years ago my late husband and I heard her preach and sing in California. She took the time to pray for my husband who suffered from kidney disease/failure. After the prayer she said God would bring healing. He did...through a kidney transplant. Following were years of work in China before he too met Jesus face to face.
About four years ago I became a true fan of Vestal Goodman, after watching her on the Gaither Homecomming Gospel aired in Canada. I always listen to Vestal singing, her melodious voice reminds me of my younger days growing up in the Caribbean.
One of my favorite songs by Vestal is "What Heaven Means to ME". That song has now become a reality for her. I saw her at the Gaither Homecoming here in Atlanta last December 6 and she was as annointed as ever. I deeply admired this talented and Godly woman. She will be sorely missed, but we can take comfort that she has reached her final home.
It is indeed a sad day for me to hear of the passing of a legend in Southern Gospel Music. I take great comfort in knowing our loss is heaven's gain. God Bless you Vestal. :cry:
:cry: What a great loss the music world has suffered. We hold the Goodman family in our prayers. O that modern contempary music had once ounce of Sis Goodmans annointing that she sang with.
I had the privilege to know Vestal and she always had an encouraging word to say. Her smile and her voice will be missed here and enjoyed in Heaven.
:cry: My heart just breaks to know that I won't here her "God Walks the Dark Hills" in person any more. My whole being is crying and in mourning now the "Happy Goodman's" are all no more...jld
While I am very sad and sorry to hear the news about Vestal!
I was deeply saddened to hear the Lady of Gospel Music had pass away. But " God Walks the Dark Hills".
The Front Row seat I was talking about is the throne! If the Goodmans are singing in heaven, I know every song will be one of worship and praise to Jesus. How happy heaven must be to have her home.
b
Coming from a Southern Gospel Music singing family myself, I know how heavily we all were influcenced by the Happy Goodman Family. Vestal's passing to us is profoundly sad, but to Howard, Sam and Rusty, Vestals is the voice they needed to once more sing for the Glory of the Lord. Our prayers are with the remaining Goodman families. We praise the Lord for Vestal's life, and the lives of her loved ones who undoubtedly, along with Jesus himself welcomed her with open arms.
:angel:
Vestal will always be loved and missed by her many millions of fans. I"ll never forget her Concert in Binghamton NY when she said hey this state has a town named after me ( Vestal Ny) . Thanks for the many years of music!!!!! We will miss you.
The world has lost a WONDERFUL Lady, but it is of great PEACE to know she is with OUR LORD!!!!!!! She will be greatly missed. Her music will go on forever.
When I heard of the passing of Sister Vestal Goodman my heart was saddened, but after I thought about it I had to rejoice with he for she is at home with the one she loved to sing about. May God Bless and comfort th ones left behind but don't grieve to much for she is finall home with Jesus.
When I heard of the passing of Sister Vestal Goodman my heart was saddened, but after I thought about it I had to rejoice with he for she is at home with the one she loved to sing about. May God Bless and comfort th ones left behind but don't grieve to much for she is finall home with Jesus.
Vestal Goodman......her singing made us happy, her life made us proud, and her passing made us long for heaven even more! God bless and comfort her dear family.
Dec. 27, 2003 "Jesus said to Vestal" "Welcome Home"
:thumbsup:
:cry: We must go on without you, which makes us really sad, but we thank God for the blessing of you in our lives. What a blessing she has been in all our lives. What a voice, what a lady, and what a testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you again for Howard & Vestal Lord. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:cry:Our loss :thumbsup: Is The Lord's gain. We will miss you. You have touched many lives.
I'll bet you Vestal is singing " I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now". God Bless the family
"See you at the house, Vestal".
Surely the annointing of God was with this special lady. Thank you Vestal for your faithfulness, now enjoy your reward. Kathy Taylor
It must have broken God's heart to call her home, knowing how much we will miss her. Oh Faith and Trust, grant us Wisdom and Strength to accept God's will.
:angel:
