Tributes from friends


Christy Sutherland with her friend Sandi Patty and mother-in-law Barbara Mandrell

CHRISTY SUTHERLAND
Today I sat amongst the greats in gospel music. Today I was surrounded by precious saints of God. Today I went to Dottie Rambo's funeral. Today I was in the presence of the Lord Almighty.

This was no ordinary funeral. It was a worship experience. From the beginning of the service, it was as if electricity was in the air. I turned to Matt and said, "He's here." Matt had tears in his eyes and gave me that look he gives me when I say something really obvious!

Song after song brought blessing after blessing. Every song sung in the ceremony was a Dottie Rambo masterpiece. Bill Gaither put together a literal all-star choir. Artist after recording artist stepped forward to lend their voice to one beautiful Dottie Rambo creation after another.

Family, friends, ministers, singers, songwriters and musicians came from all over the country to celebrate Dottie's Home-going. Mom Barbara had the privilege of being asked to say a few words about Dottie today. Wearing the gold and diamond ram's head ring Dottie had given her, Mom spoke the most beautiful, heartfelt words about her dear friend who is now with the Lord. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were among the many to send a wonderful letter to Reba Rambo-McGuire and family expressing their sorrow in the loss of Dottie. The President also sent a folded American flag. It was the flag that flew over the White House on Mother's Day (the day of Dottie's passing).

I remember as a young girl and then as a teenager riding in the backseat of my Momma's car. She would put in a Dottie Rambo tape and it was if the Holy Spirit flooded the car. I remember wiping away tears, hoping Momma wouldn't see. I didn't want her to see the effect those songs were having on me. I don't know why. I guess that's just how it is when you are 13.

Even though I never had the opportunity to get to know Dottie, I have had the pleasure of writing a song with her granddaughter, Destiny McGuire. Destiny sang at the service today and it was obvious she has Rambo blood coursing through her veins. What a gift!! Her voice is absolutely like something wonderful you just want more of. Her duet with her sister Dionne was awesome.

It would take way too long to describe the entire service in detail. It lasted over two hours, but flew by like it was ten minutes. The celebration ended with Sandi Patty singing "We Shall Behold Him." Need I say more?! I was blessed with a few moments of speaking with Sandi afterwards She told me how she enjoys singing my song "You Call Me Yours" every weekend at the Women of Faith conferences. I could hardly hold back the tears as she shared the impact that song is having on so many women's lives. I kept thinking, "Any minute now I'm going to wake up and this will all be a dream...."

Well, either I still have not woken up, or this was one of those amazing life-changing days you thank God for.....a day in His presence.

**Please keep Larry Ferguson (Dottie's manager and our friend), Ronnie Meadows (the bus driver), and Chris Barnes (Dottie's webmaster) in your prayers as they are all three still in the hospital recovering from the wreck.

Blessings,
Christy

DOLLY PARTON
I know Dottie is in Heaven in the arms of God right now, but out earth angel will surely be missed. Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, a songwriter and entertainer, and as of late, my duet singing partner. Dottie, stand by the river and wait for me, I will always love you, Dolly." Parton also sent condolences to "everyone involved in this terrible tragedy.

WYNONNA
To me, she was the Dolly Parton of gospel music. She was effervescent and lit up a room when she entered it. Dottie had it -- that charisma and ability to fill a space with her smile. ... Her gift will live on in the hearts of many.

BILL ANDERSON
I had heard of Dottie Rambo for years, but only got to finally spend some quality time with her when she was a guest on one of my XM radio shows. What a remarkable lady and what a remarkable catalog of inspirational music she has created.

At the time of our visit, she was confined to a rehab facility in Franklin, Tennessee, with a broken leg. A staff member wheeled her into a room provided for our interview, and for nearly two hours she held court as if she didn't have a care in the world. Later, it was a joy for me to help see that she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame where she most deservedly belongs.

RON BLACKWOOD
Dottie Rambo was one of Americas great Gospel Icons and certainly a Legend. I had the privilege to book many of her concert dates the last few years. Dottie would always ask? " Ron be sure The Blackwoods will sing with me, and we would" Her manager Larry Ferguson and I had a great relationship and were working on a TV Special on Dottie and The Blackwoods together.

People loved Dottie, we had to hold the crowds back from her at intermission because they wanted to just "TOUCH" Dottie. They were in awe of Dottie, but she always would take time for anyone, yet because of her past health problems we would have to limit her contact with heavy crowds. She tired easily , but Dottie Rambo loved people and today she has received her reward. She is truly "SHELTERED IN THE ARM OF GOD " as went the words to one of her songs the Blackwoods always sang with her.

JEANNIE SEELY
This is a great time of sorrow for all of us...country music and gospel music have always been so closely related as we were all brought up the same way .....with the love of God and family. Dottie just had a better way of expressing those thoughts and feelings, better than most of us. Her music, performance and example inspired and comforted us. I was introduced to her by my friend Dottie West when I first came to Nashville and I have been proud to know her...she will be greatly missed.

MARTY STUART
I'm going to miss Miss Dottie. It was always an honor to be in the presence of where God had sent such powerful work. But this I know, Dottie was a warrior and she gave up her life on the battlefield. I know that Heaven welcomed her with open arms.

NAOMI SEGO
I’m celebrating 50 years in gospel music, there were many times that we worked with Dottie. I have always enjoyed working with her and recorded many of her songs down through the years. I consider her to be the best in gospel songwriting. I was so thrilled when Terry asked me to join the Golden Girls of Gospel Tour and was looking forward to working with Lulu and Dottie. Sunday morning we received the news, my heart was broken. The Pastors’ wife came and had prayer with us and we knew we had to carry on as that is what Dottie would have wanted. I will surely miss her in this life but I know she is in her mansion next door to Jesus and she is probably teaching the angels to sing.

LULU ROMAN
On May the 11th at 2:19 AM my beloved friend went rushing through the gates of heaven to meet Jesus face to face. My heart is heavy and my spirit is broken at the loss of my hero. We were in the midst of a tour called the Golden Girls of Gospel. She was coming to meet me and Naomi Sego to sing at the Fountain of Life Church in North Richland Hills, TX. We got the news just moments before we were to go on stage. With the help of a mighty God and the precious people of Fountain of Life Church we somehow made it through the concert. Dottie was my mentor and hero and I will miss her with my whole heart. She was so excited to be a part of this tour and was able to stand for the first time in 20 years at one of our concerts. She was a sheer delight to be with, always laughing and talking of nothing but the Lord and how much she loved Him. She spent countless hours in the “throne room” returning to pen the most beautiful and poignant songs that ears have ever heard and voices have ever sung for more than 60 years. She is home now. She is in the throne room of Father, in His presence. All of us will miss her and her legacy will remain in our hearts until we see her again in that throne room. I love you Dottie and will see you one day on that glorious shore.

DUANE ALLEN
She gave us many new songs, which had a major impact on our career at the time.

LILY TOMLIN
You can imagine how shocking it is to lose her this way. She was just such a bright presence in our lives. She couldn't have been more loving with my mother. She'd pray with my mother and look after her. They had a very similar spiritual sensibility.

GENE HIGGINS, CCMA PRESIDENT
Dottie Rambo has been an influence in Christian Music for five decades. Even though Dottie was called home, her legacy will go on. Her songs will continue to minister until Jesus returns. As President of the Christian Country Music Association it was my privilege to know Dottie and in 1994 to present her with the Songwriter of the Century Award. The CCMA also presented her with the Pioneer Award, Living Legend Award, and Songwriter of the Year in 2004.

Dottie Rambo was to Gospel music what Loretta Lynn is to Country music. Both are the queens of their era and their genre of music. One of my favorite Dottie Rambo songs is The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me. She now can see and stand on those hills. May God be with all of us and her family in the days ahead. We miss you, Dottie.

Now our prayers and concerns must turn to the others that were injured in the accident. Larry Ferguson is a dear friend of ours and our prayers are with him and his family at this time.

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