Gospel music's Vestal Goodman dies at age 74

BP NEWS ^ | Dec 29, 2003 | By Staff

[Dubya]

CELEBRATION, Fla. (BP)-Vestal Goodman, known as the "Queen of Gospel Music," died Dec. 27 in Celebration, Fla., near Orlando while visiting family members during the Christmas holidays.

"She had been ill with the flu and turned worse last evening," the Southern Gospel News reported Dec. 28. She was 74.

Goodman's career in gospel music began as part of the popular Happy Goodman Family in the 1940s and, in recent years, she had become a fixture in the Bill Gaither "Homecoming" concerts and videos.

The winner of numerous Grammy and Dove awards also was known for her trademark beehive hairdo, full-length gowns and a white handkerchief she often waved while singing.

Her husband, Howard, and singing partner for more than 50 years, died in 2002 at the age of 81. Howard's two brothers and former members of the Happy Goodman Family, Rusty and Sam Goodman, also preceded her in death.

"Besides being talented, she loved people and people loved her," John Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association, told The Tennessean daily newspaper.

Styll added that "in her later years, she developed a kind of hipness -- even in the contemporary [Christian music] crowd. She was bigger than her genre."

"All the Happy Goodmans are together again," a fan wrote on the Southern Gospel News website. "And they can really sing about heaven now. And Jesus probably got a front row seat for this event."

"She was a spirit of optimism, a spirit of joy," Gaither told The Tennessean. Even in life's crises, "the glass was always half-full to Vestal."

She is survived by her son and daughter, Rick and Vicki, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Goodman's funeral will be Jan. 1 at Christ Church in Brentwood, Tenn., near Nashville.

[Dubya]

I don't know why this wasn't in our news paper. If she was adrunken bum actor it would have made the front page.

[Dubya]

Vestal Goodman

[LucyJo]

Thanks for posting this, Dubya. How very sad. I've always loved The Happy Goodman's, and especially Vestal. What a singing voice!

[Dubya]

I love them too.

[Zipporah]

I was raised in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) and the Goodman's were originally from the COG. I saw them at camp meetings many, many years ago.. She will be missed.

[LucyJo]

I just got over a rough bout with the flu, and told my sister that I could see how anyone with underlying health problems might die with it. I think it has affected some worse than others. My husband and I both had it, but mine went to the lungs, and his didn't. That has been the case with several people I know who have had it. I wonder how long she had had it. Have you heard anything more than this article?

[B-Chan]

Although I'm Catholic, I was raised in the Pentecostal church — and I still love Southern Gospel to this day. I don't feel such music is appropriate for liturgical worship, but as Godly entertainment that "white" Southern Gospel sound can't be beat – it is every bit as soulful and exciting as (black) Gospel, although it comes from a different ethnic tradition (Anglo-Celtic folk music).

Mrs. Goodman and the Happy Goodman family were the Beatles of Southern Gospel, and their songs of praise will be missed by us here on Earth. But think of the music they are making in Heaven right now as they see the Master face to face!

[B-Chan]

Music sample (RealPlayer)

[I still care]

Thanks for that great sample. Eastern Gate is one of my all time favorites.

[Simcha7]

SHALOM & BLESSINGS!

Oh...It is so sad to hear of this Dear Lady passing away.

However, I know that she is Beholding The LAMB of GOD now Face to Face!

I loved her voice, her enthusiasm and Love for JESUS!

Vestal is Singing in God's Heavenly Choir!

Prayers for her Family, Friends and Fans.

[jazzlite]

My heart is broken. Another Soldier has gone home. The big band jazz music I am so lucky to play today came from Southern Gospel roots. Vestal's fans all over the world will be devastated..

[gracex7]

While it may be sad for those of us left behind, think of where she is and upon Whose face she gazes! And as far our LORD being in the front row, HE's the One Who'll be singing....

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

[Recovering_Democrat]

One year ago this week her husband Howard passed on.

Now they're singing together...

[Tax-chick]

BTTT! I remember her from the Gaither Homecoming shows. Such a joyful presence!

[kimmie7]

Boy, Heaven's choir just got another member! Vestal will be missed. What a voice! What a testimony!

[chance33_98]

Bump

[TontoKowalski]

Oh, I have such fond memories of the Goodman's, and Miss Vestal in particular.

When I was a boy, we lived just down the block from my grandparents, and only two blocks from there to church. We'd walk over to my grandparents and we'd all leave from there, walking to church together.

My grandfather always had on a television program called The Gospel Jubilee, while we were waiting for my perpetually 5-minutes-late grandmother to finish getting ready.

I remember the Happy Goodman Family like it was only yesterday. Also Southern gospel groups like The Florida Boys, the Dixie Echos. Much to my surprise, as I rediscovered Southern Gospel some 30 years later, I found that Mr. and Mrs. Goodman were staples, icons even, of the genre. Enormously respected, and she could belt 'em out just like she did in the old days.

Anybody else out there remember The Gospel Jubilee and Miss Vestal in a beehive hairdo?

[wayne_b24]

are you AKA bucky goldstein?

we watched them every sunday as kids. it impressed us as kids that their WHOLE family was involved in the Word. we even saw the happy goodmans in concert at least once in the raleigh, nc area. those were good days.