MOUNT VERNON, Mo. - Joyce “Dottie” Rambo, an influential gospel singer and songwriter, died early Sunday when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment. She was 74.
Seven other people on the bus were injured in the wreck about two miles east of Mount Vernon on Interstate 44, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. They were hospitalized in Springfield with moderate to severe injuries, according to the patrol.
It was unclear whether the crash was related to the severe storms and tornadoes that hit the region on Saturday. Storms also swept through the area later in the night, according to the National Weather Service.
Rambo, of Nashville, Tenn., was on her way to a Mother’s Day performance in Texas, according to her Web site.
“She was a giant in the gospel music industry,” said Beckie Simmons, Rambo’s agent. “Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs.”
Rambo was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last year and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rambo has had more than 2,500 published songs, including gospel classics such as “He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need” and the 1982 Gospel Music Association Song of the Year, “We Shall Behold Him.”
What would you do for peace of mind? How far would you go to protect your sanity? How would you respond to having your back against a wall? How do you prepare for the realization, those who you thought were friends, are not?
It seemed overnight, I went from pretty well off, healthy and surrounded by folks to bankrupt, sick and all alone. I’ve since recovered in my health, though my struggle continues at seems like every other turn. I haven’t struggled like this in more than a dozen years, and yet those who I’ve blessed spiritually and financially, have turned their backs on me.
I guess it was a wakeup call though. God pulled back the curtains so that I could see people for who they are. Always the loving and trusting one, I sometimes helped others though it hurt me.
It may take some time to heal from this. The hurt I feel runs deep and it come from those in and out of church. I guess I should be used to this, but I never cease to be amazed at how cruel people can be.
But, I will survive. God has carried me thru worse.
The lesson is, know those who labor among you. Not everyone loves like you do. Take care of yourself, before you take care of others. Some people only hang around you, for their own benefit and when that benefit disappears, so will they.
For now, I’m tryna stretch 20 dollars over two weeks, but I see myself wealthy one day. Before God can bless me, I have to continue in my education for wisely managing money and wisely managing who I let into my inner circle. We’ve been commanded to love one another, but it’s best to love some people from afar.
Many have come and many have gone, but looking down thru the years, up ’til this very day, my pick for the Gospel Walk of Fame “Best Male Vocalist of Our Time, secular or Gospel, would be the incomparable, Daryl Coley.
There are some who might argue with me about this selection, and if you have someone else in mind, feel free to voice it in the comments. Certainly, I can think of a few vocalists who might know a few more riffs than Daryl, but Daryl has more than talent to riff. He has “It.”
For years, I myself have tried to catch him in total, but God really took his time molding Daryl. His gift is uniquely his. Many have tried to imitate him, but none have been able to surpass him. He has been and still is the benchmark on which we work to perfect our gift of musical ministry.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I have many fond memories of Daryl and his beautiful wife, Jenell. I can truly say, they are real people. Nothing fake about them. Daryl Coley has always been pleasant to be around, unlike some other Gospel singers I will not name.
…such an awesome gift and inner beauty too. Now that’s a winning combination. In my book, he is the greatest male vocalist of all time. Look for him to be leading a song in the heavenly choir, cause I’m sure he’ll get a lead before Smokie or J. Moss.
Please enjoy this video of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers, singing “When Sunday Comes.” The featured vocalist is Daryl Coley.
This song has truly blessed me over the years. It’s one of those songs that encouraged me during some of my darkest hours. I hope you will listen to the message in the song.
Tramaine Hawkins sings ”It’s Right and Good” during Walter Hawkins’ Love Alive V
I know there are a lot of different stories making their rounds in the media regarding Bishop Weeks and Evangelist Bynum, but I’m simply tired of reporting on it.
However, if you’re not tired of it, here are a couple of links to articles you may want to check out:
We may not be here for long, but until The Lord comes back for us, we’re stuck on this earth, dealing with or hearing about daily injustice in the world.
Case in point, Sean Bell.
Some may argue, he shouldn’t have been at the club, but that’s not a good argument, since less than two months ago, there was a church shooting, right here in the US.
Some may argue, he was no saint, but show me one Christian who is qualified to throw stones, and I’ll say they must be Jesus, ’cause Christ is the only one who walked this earth without sin.
It saddens me whenever someone dies for some reason other than natural causes. What makes Sean’s case particularly sad:
A) He was a young black man (and there’s a dwindling supply of that).
B) He was engaged to be married.
C) He left a young daughter who can now only learn of her father thru other people.
I’m particularly angry, because his blood was shed at the hands of those who signed up for and are paid to protect and serve.
There’s no way I’ll ever be convinced that the police were justified in this shooting. They killed a young man and sought to justify it. The judge went along with it and now we have to live it.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I thought the LAPD was crooked, but now I realize, evil is where you find it.
To learn more about the Sean Bell shooting incident, click here.
Sometimes, having too much money can distort your thinking. Take Oprah, for example. I can think of so many things to love about her. I’m still a fan, to a degree. She’s definitely accomplished, but she’s far more open minded about everything (including God) these days and that is one thing I cannot ride with her on.
Take a look at the video below and tell me what you think.
