James Moore
2004-01-02 04:20:09 UTC
Vestal's funeral was well attended, she looked good, and the events of
the service were a celebration of life, and of Heaven, which Vestal
quite often sang about.
Anticipating a large turnout and knowing that there was much
construction happening on the church grounds, my wife and I arrived
about 11:30am, finding cars and folks everywhere. We were had to park
in the back area, and buses brought us to the front of the church. Upon
entering the church, one was in line to view the body and take a seat.
We sat in the last row center section, and the main floor quickly
filled, and I could see portions of the balcony on the extreme sides
were full, and I assume the balcony was probably full as well.
As her body was rolled down the center aisle, the recording of George
Jones and Vestal's "Mansion Over The Hilltop" was played. This appeared
greatly timed. George sang the first verse as the procession went down
the aisle, there was a turnaround and modulation as the body was placed
in front of the pulpit, and the house was electrified as Vestal moved
into the next verse. Great timing I'd Say!
The invocation, scripture, and opening remarks were by Rev. L. H.
Hardwick, Jr., the Pastor of Christ Church. Included in the opening
remarks was a letter from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredeson, and while he
was reading this letter, a letter was brought to Rev. Hardwick from
President Bush and his wife. This was followed by a congregational
hymn, "Blessed Assurance," led by Joy Gardner. Remarks were made by
Dodie Osten and Beth Chapman (Alabama State Auditor), who were both
close friends with Vestal. Beth revealed Alabama legislative plans that
had been going on for sometime to name a section of highway near
Vestal's birthplace, "Vestal Goodman Highway," and she seemed very
confident that this would happen in the near future.
Janet Paschal sang "How Are Things At Home," followed by remarks from
Rev. Marvin Gorman, then Vince Gill came to the platform and sang "Go
Rest High On That Mountain," using only his acoustic guitar.
Interesting stories were rendered by each of the speakers, including
Rev. Johnny Minnick, who has been a member of The Happy Goodmans for
many years. "Look for Me," written by Rusty Goodman, was sung by Tanya
Goodman Sykes. Rick Goodman paid to friends associates through the years.
Bill Gaither's Homecoming Friends Choir sang several songs. The choir
included Dottie Rambo, Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill, Naomi Sego Reader,
members of The Crabb Family, The Hoppers, Faye Speer, Mary Tom Speer
Reid, Bob and Jeanne Johnson, Gloria Gaither, Ann Downing, Ivan Parker,
The Gaither Vocal Band, Terry Blackwood, and many, many more. Near the
end, several songs from the Gaither Homecoming Videos were shown,
featuring Vestal. Included were "This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me,"
"God Bless America," "O Come Angel Band," and of course, "I Wouldn't
Take Nothing For My Journey Now."
Paul Bearers were: Steve Chandler, Aaron Minick, Jack Smith, Dino
Elefante, Marshall Pugh, and Aaron Wilburn. Honorary Pallbearers were:
Ken Abraham, Harold Bradley, Andrae Crouch, Rev. Amos Dodge, Bill
Gaither, Rev. Mark Gorman, Rick Headley, Dr. Harry Jacobson, Ronnie
"Bear" Jones, Dr. John Oates, Gordon Stoker, Danny Boyles, Les Butler,
Dr. John Dixon, Dr. Drew Gaffney, Dr. Marvin Gregory, Randy Gorman, Jake
Hess Sr., George Jones, Dr. James McPherson, Rev. Earl Sherrick, and
George Younce.
The service lasted about two and a half hours, and was a great tribute
to the life of Vestal Goodman, acclaimed "The First Lady of Gospel
Music" by hundreds of people.
HT
the service were a celebration of life, and of Heaven, which Vestal
quite often sang about.
Anticipating a large turnout and knowing that there was much
construction happening on the church grounds, my wife and I arrived
about 11:30am, finding cars and folks everywhere. We were had to park
in the back area, and buses brought us to the front of the church. Upon
entering the church, one was in line to view the body and take a seat.
We sat in the last row center section, and the main floor quickly
filled, and I could see portions of the balcony on the extreme sides
were full, and I assume the balcony was probably full as well.
As her body was rolled down the center aisle, the recording of George
Jones and Vestal's "Mansion Over The Hilltop" was played. This appeared
greatly timed. George sang the first verse as the procession went down
the aisle, there was a turnaround and modulation as the body was placed
in front of the pulpit, and the house was electrified as Vestal moved
into the next verse. Great timing I'd Say!
The invocation, scripture, and opening remarks were by Rev. L. H.
Hardwick, Jr., the Pastor of Christ Church. Included in the opening
remarks was a letter from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredeson, and while he
was reading this letter, a letter was brought to Rev. Hardwick from
President Bush and his wife. This was followed by a congregational
hymn, "Blessed Assurance," led by Joy Gardner. Remarks were made by
Dodie Osten and Beth Chapman (Alabama State Auditor), who were both
close friends with Vestal. Beth revealed Alabama legislative plans that
had been going on for sometime to name a section of highway near
Vestal's birthplace, "Vestal Goodman Highway," and she seemed very
confident that this would happen in the near future.
Janet Paschal sang "How Are Things At Home," followed by remarks from
Rev. Marvin Gorman, then Vince Gill came to the platform and sang "Go
Rest High On That Mountain," using only his acoustic guitar.
Interesting stories were rendered by each of the speakers, including
Rev. Johnny Minnick, who has been a member of The Happy Goodmans for
many years. "Look for Me," written by Rusty Goodman, was sung by Tanya
Goodman Sykes. Rick Goodman paid to friends associates through the years.
Bill Gaither's Homecoming Friends Choir sang several songs. The choir
included Dottie Rambo, Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill, Naomi Sego Reader,
members of The Crabb Family, The Hoppers, Faye Speer, Mary Tom Speer
Reid, Bob and Jeanne Johnson, Gloria Gaither, Ann Downing, Ivan Parker,
The Gaither Vocal Band, Terry Blackwood, and many, many more. Near the
end, several songs from the Gaither Homecoming Videos were shown,
featuring Vestal. Included were "This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me,"
"God Bless America," "O Come Angel Band," and of course, "I Wouldn't
Take Nothing For My Journey Now."
Paul Bearers were: Steve Chandler, Aaron Minick, Jack Smith, Dino
Elefante, Marshall Pugh, and Aaron Wilburn. Honorary Pallbearers were:
Ken Abraham, Harold Bradley, Andrae Crouch, Rev. Amos Dodge, Bill
Gaither, Rev. Mark Gorman, Rick Headley, Dr. Harry Jacobson, Ronnie
"Bear" Jones, Dr. John Oates, Gordon Stoker, Danny Boyles, Les Butler,
Dr. John Dixon, Dr. Drew Gaffney, Dr. Marvin Gregory, Randy Gorman, Jake
Hess Sr., George Jones, Dr. James McPherson, Rev. Earl Sherrick, and
George Younce.
The service lasted about two and a half hours, and was a great tribute
to the life of Vestal Goodman, acclaimed "The First Lady of Gospel
Music" by hundreds of people.
HT