Share your stories about Dottie at www.DottieRamboMusic.com

MAY 20, 2008 - LETTER FROM BECKIE SIMMONS
Hospital Report: Ferguson, Meadows, and Barnes

So many of you have been waiting on an update on Larry Ferguson, Chris Barnes and Ronnie Meadows, survivors and employees of the late Dottie Rambo.

Larry Ferguson (manager):
Doctors are discussing the possibility of Larry's return to Nashville to continue his recovery. A second surgery is necessary in the near future, but at least he will get to come home to receive medical care.

Ronnnie Meadows (bus driver):
Ronnie will be moved from ICU today.

Chris Barnes (product manager/webmaster):
Chris' breathing is improving daily and his blood pressure has been stabilized with medicine, although he still has a fever.

Everyone is thankful that Judy Ferguson and young Christian, son, were able to attend Dottie's Home-Going Celebration. In fact, one of the highlights of the Event was when Christian sang, "Stand By The River" and ended with "I love you Grand Dot"!

We will continue to give progress reports as we know them. Your continue prayers and support are appreciated and much needed.

Beckie Simmons

MAY 15, 2008 - LETTER FROM BECKIE SIMMONS:
Good News! In a telephone conversation today with Judy Ferguson, the wife of Larry Ferguson, manager of Dottie Rambo, there is encouraging news!

First of all, they want to convey their thanks to everyone for their prayers. Larry came thru surgery fine and must be on complete bed rest for the next few days. Judy and their two children have been released from the hospital; however, they are still there spending their days and nights with Larry, as well as with Chris Barnes, Product Manager/Webmaster and bus driver, Ronnie Meadows.

Chris Barnes is improving and has just started blinking his eyes. Surgery will follow as soon as he is physically able. Ronnie Meadows is beginning to respond and is writing notes to communicate. Larry will require an additional surgery within the next few weeks. Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

The families of those hospitalized are staying in nearby hotels. The extra expense of travel, hotels, eating out, hospital expense, etc. is mounting; so, along with your prayers, contributions of any size would be greatly appreciated. Friends have established a fund in the name of Larry Ferguson at the Citizens National Bank in Springfield, Missouri to help with these immediate expenses, as well as those who are injured. Cards, letters and support can be sent to the following:

Citizens National Bank
ATTN: Marsha Henry
3212 South Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804

Please make checks payable to: LARRY FERGUSON FUND

MAY 13, 2008 - 4:00 PM
MOODY RADIO TRIBUTE to DOTTIE RAMBO - LISTEN

MAY 13, 2008 - 4:45 PM - STATEMENT FROM JUDY FERGUSON:
Sunday morning, May 11, at approximately 2:19 a.m. the bus Dottie Rambo was traveling in was hit by high, gusty winds and pushed down an embankment into a median on I-44 near Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Dottie was travelling to meet Lulu Roman and Naomi Sego at a Golden Girls of Gospel concert in North Richland Hills, Tex., at the Fountain of Life church. On board with Dottie were her manager Larry Ferguson, his wife Judy and their two sons, Pierce and Christian, the bus driver Ronnie Meadows, and Larry's assistant Chris Barnes. The survivors have sustained multiple injuries and are receiving medical care. Doctors say they will all recover, however, it may be a long process.

Dottie Rambo was the most respected and beloved gospel songwriter in the world. Not only in the gospel music industry but also in secular music. She had written over 2500 songs many of which have been recorded by singers such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Porter Wagoner, as well as nearly every gospel singer. Her music crossed all genres of music. From southern gospel through contemporary by artists from dc Talk to Lulu Roman.

A fund has been established in the name of Larry Ferguson at the Citizens National Bank in Springfield, Mo., to help with expenses of those who were injured. Please - only send checks made out to the Larry Ferguson Fund so that we will have a record of who sent support. The address is:

Citizens National Bank
ATTN: Marsha Henry
3212 South Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804

Please make checks payable to: LARRY FERGUSON FUND

We ask that you respectfully honor the Ferguson, Barnes, and Meadows families need for privacy while they recover. Medical staff needs to care for the patients and must have time and attention for them. This morning the children have been released from the hospital.

To keep abreast of this situaiton you may go to www.dottierambo.net.

DOTTIE RAMBO, GOSPEL LEGEND, DIES IN BUS CRASH IN MISSOURI
Courtesy Brad Schmitt, News Channel 2, www.MusicCityTV.com - (includes video)
Used by permission.

Gospel great Dottie Rambo, 74, died in a bus crash near Springfield, Mo., early Sunday morning, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

The bus driver, Ronnie Meadows, is in serious condition and Ms. Rambo’s manager, Larry Ferguson, and his wife and his two children, are also hospitalized in Springfield, Mo., the report says.

Chris Barnes, 22, Ms. Rambo’s Web master and Mr. Ferguson’s assistant, was in serious condition.

Few details were available, but there were reports that overnight storms and high winds caused the 1997 Prevost bus to crash into a guard rail and an embankment around 2:20 a.m. on I-44, two miles east of Mt. Vernon, Mo.

Ms. Rambo was reportedly traveling from Springfield, Mo., to Texas when the crash occured.

Ms. Rambo was a prolific writer and singer whose hits include We Shall Behold Him, Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome (In The Place), I Go To The Rock, and Sheltered In The Arms Of God.

Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Carol Channing, Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton are among those who have recorded Ms. Rambo’s songs.

As a young girl, Ms. Rambo fell in love with country music while listening to the Grand Ole Opry in her Morganfield, Ky., home. She started writing songs at ate 8, and by age 10, Ms. Rambo was singing covers of country songs on a local radio station.

By age 12, she became a born-again Christian, a decision her dad abhorred. He ended up kicking her out of the house, and Ms. Rambo started her Christian career.

Ms. Rambo met Buck Rambo at age 16 and they married soon after, forming a gospel trio that would launch a 50+ years career in Christian music.

Barbara Mandrell inducted Ms. Rambo into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame late last year, only the 10th woman to enter the hall.

Ms. Rambo was slated to release a new album, Sheltered, in the summer. The album was to include a duet with the late Porter Wagoner, Sheltered in the Arms of God, and Dottie was set to dedicate her album to Mr. Wagoner.