When Vestal Goodman died Dec. 27 at age 74, Alabama lost “one of our most accomplished natives and greatest contributions to the world,” said Beth Chapman, Alabama’s state auditor.
Chapman, a member of Lakeside Baptist Church, Birmingham, presented a eulogy at Goodman’s Jan. 1 funeral in Nashville.
Nationally known for half a century as the queen of gospel music, Goodman was a native of Fyffe and a founding member of the Happy Goodman Family.
The Goodmans’ syndicated “The Gospel Singing Jubliee” television program aired on more than 100 stations. More recently, Goodman appeared regularly as part of the “Homecoming” shows of the (Bill) “Gaither Gospel Series,” which airs regularly on TV and is offered on videotapes throughout the world.
In fact her funeral service was part of a “Gaither Homecoming Celebration.”
“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,” he said.
A southern tradition
Goodman and the Happy Goodman Family, which included her husband, Howard, and his brothers Rusty and Sam, won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards throughout the years. They recorded 15 No. 1 gospel songs and performed more than 3,500 concerts. They were pioneers of the southern gospel movement and instrumental in its revival.
Chapman said growing up in south Alabama, she would awaken each Sunday morning to “The Gospel Singing Jubilee” and the Happy Goodman Family singing, “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.”
“It was such a part of my life. … It was a southern tradition and she was a gospel music legend,” said Chapman, who had a “dream come true” visit with Goodman in November 2003.
“November 16 was a dream come true for me to be able to have Vestal Goodman in my home church for what, unbeknownst to us, would be one of her last concerts,” Chapman said.
Marcille Dutton, a member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Lookout Mountain Association, said she remembers listening to Goodman when she was young.
“I think [Goodman was successful] because she lived what she sang and she believed it,” Dutton said, adding that belonging to a family helped them have a closeness and a harmony that isn’t found everywhere.
Dutton, who has conducted singing schools, said, “Vestal’s strong alto voice is certainly going to be missed.”
Raymond Cook, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Albertville, said Antioch is a country church acquainted with and influenced by the Happy Goodmans.
“They blessed many hearts and were outstanding, godly people,” he said. “They were wonderful, gracious people, and they loved the Lord and showed it.”
Goodman died in Celebration, Fla., near Orlando while visiting family during the Christmas holidays. According to the Southern Gospel News, she was ill with the flu at the time of her death.
Goodman was preceded in death by her husband, but she is survived by a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. (Wire services contributed)
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