Vestal’s Home Going Celebration I have had never been to the funeral of a legend such as Vestal Goodman, so it was a new experience for me. The service of her homegoing was as spiritually lit as any of her concerts. It truly was a celebration of her entrance into heaven. I now know that I was very blessed to be able to be in the studio, and watch as Vestal recorded the last song she would ever record. Having been able to have a one on one conversation with the queen of Gospel music just weeks before her passing gave me a different perspective of her funeral. I arrived at the church about 12 PM and had to park at what seemed to be miles away, but the church had a shuttle service for our convenience. With an hour yet to go before the service started, I was able to find a seat in the balcony. It was clear that thousands of people wanted to show this great lady the respect that she was so worthy of. We knew that we were getting close to the start when 89 Gaither Homecoming Friends filled the choir. Soon after that the guest singers and speakers filed in, followed by the three Ministers officiating the services. The Ministers soon left the Sanctuary to meet the coffin that held Vestal’s body and make the slow dirge around the church halls into the main entrance of the Sanctuary. As the song was played of George Jones singing “Mansion Over The Hill Top”, the Ministers led the procession as the rose draped coffin brought Vestal to the front of the stage one last time. They arrived just at the key change when Vestal’s strong voice started singing the second verse. The crowd erupted in praise and applause. The service started as Pastor of Christ Church, Rev L. H. Hardwick, Jr., gave the Invocation, read the scripture, and made his comments about Vestal and their friendship. He read a letter from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen expressing his condolences, and as he was finishing the Governor’s letter, he was handed another letter expressing the Sympathy of President George W. Bush and his wife Laura. Joy Gardner then led those in attendance in Vestal’s favorite hymn “Blessed Assurance”. Next Dodie Osteen, wife of the late Rev John Osteen, renowned Pastor and television evangelist, gave her comments of her friendship with Vestal. Being a native of Alabama, Beth Chapman, Alabama State Auditor, expressed how Vestal had made a great difference in her spiritual life. She then gave the announcement that the State of Alabama is in the process of naming a section of highway near Vestal’s home town, the Vestal Goodman Highway. Unfortunately she passed away before she could be told the news. Janet Paschal then delivered a beautiful rendition of “How Are Things At Home”. Rev. Marvin Gorman then gave his comments, relating to how Vestal dropped what she was doing in her life to minister to him and his family in a very dark period in his life. Again the message of the day seemed to be how Vestal loved everyone, and how they cherished her friendship. Vestal reached across boundary lines in music. Several Country music artists were there including George Jones and Vince Gill. As the service proceeded Vince performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain”. At times having to check his apparent emotion, Rev. Johnny Minick, who sang with Vestal and Howard for several years and has been involved with the Happy Goodmans for many years, shared his friendship over the years with Vestal. Bringing to the service some of the humorous side of Vestal and yet extolling her great spiritual depth. Tanya Goodman Sykes sang “Look For Me”, followed by Ricky Goodman, Vestal and Howard’s son, giving a family tribute. Just before the Homecoming Friends started to sing, Bill Gaither brought to the podium a crystal cake dish. He explained that every time he was in Nashville, Vestal would bake him one of her famous coconut cakes. He was supposed to have returned it to her New Year’s Eve night, but she never made it to the Jubilate concert. Singing about 30 minutes they Homecoming choir rejoiced as the Holy Spirit ministered to the thousands in attendance. They sang such songs as “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now”, “Oh Come Angel Band”, and “The Eastern Gate”. The service ended with an electrifying video salute to Vestal which included “God Bless America”, “This Is Just What Heaven Means To Mean”, and The Eastern Gate”. All I can say is this was certainly a Celebration. Vestal was a blessing in her life and in her death. Deon Unthank
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Written: 01/02/2004
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Thanks, Deon, from those of us who were great fans of this Great Lady, but were unable to attend to pay our respects.
Thanks for the article. I would love to have been at the funeral to pay my respects to a lady that I had great love and admiration for. I just sit and cried when I heard the news. I will miss her greatly. No Gaither concert will ever be the same, nor will gospel music. Thank God for Vestal's life and her sharing so much of it with us.
:angel: what a wonderful article it was a blessing I have been looking for information on Sister Goodman and this was everything I wanted
on another subject this website is the best Thank yall for doing a wonderful job
i was there in west monroe many years ago when god gave vestal her strong voice when a storm destroyed the pa system. the next night vestal got up to sing god gave her a new voice how it has blessed mamy thru the years.it seemed as tho one of my family has gonehow the world will miss her
Deon, I'm not trying to sound mean, but all the people in the choir were NOT members of the Gaither Homecoming. A lot were Christ Church members. I admired and loved Ms Vestal for many years, and will continue to love and listen to her music! She has always been a blessing to me. But the service for JD Sumner did out do this one. I think maybe the Holiday had a lot to do with many of the Gospel Music artist not being there, since most of them were traveling. I do feel no matter who attends your "homegoing", you Preach your own service by the way you live your life on this earth.
deon
i grew up watching The Happy Goodmans, on PTL years ago. since then i was forever a fan. i later found out that my family; The Singing Nitz Family had the privelage of doing some concerts with The Goodmans. i myself considered it an honor and privelage to have got to see Howard and Vestal in person. i even had the privelage of singing with Vestal "briefely", when "The Final Stand" tour came to the D.C. area. we sang the chorus to the old song "Hallelujah Square". i also just so happened to be in Spencer Tn, playing my first date as drummer/vocalist with Heartfaith, New Years Eve; which allowed me the pleasure of attending Vestal's "Homegoing" service the next day. i was truly blessed. it brought back alot of great memories; not only of The Goodmans, but also of my grandfather (Bob Nitz Sr.) who passed away in September. Vestal was a true woman of God! so real and genuine! she loved everyone, and everyone loved her. i'm sure that she's shaking the pillars of Heaven with her amazing voice! we will all miss her, and i look forward to seeing her in Heaven someday soon. till then, we must all continue to carry the torch that she and so many others, have pased on to us. lets keep singing for the Lord! lifting up those who are down, saving those who are lost! let us honor her by living according to her example! WE LOVE YOU VESTAL!
I really loved the detailed article. I know all of fans that did not get to go to the funeral that loved her very much.
Thank you so much for giving us such a "full" article about Vestal's homegoing! She was a great warrior for our God!
Wow what a article. I could hardly keep from crying on the part of Vestal casket being brought to the front of the church then her voice ringing out Mansion over the Hilltop.
A brighter “star” shines in Heaven as Vestal takes her place with Jesus. To Vestal, we all were her “Darlin’s,” but she never failed to thank her beloved Jesus when the applause heightened to its thunderous roar. We all find comfort in knowing that as her music and ministry live on forever, her star will shine in our hearts as well.
If anyone was a true saint of God, it was Vestel. My family just watched the first homecoming video last night, it meant so much more to us knowing so many in that video had gone on to a better place. We will miss you Vestal. :angel:
Thank you for such a nice article on the life and homegoing of such a beautiful, talented saint of God! This past year, I lost three family members, an aunt, a great aunt and a cousin and several friends to death. I know though, that each of them is in heaven. Heaven is truly getting more precious all the time. It makes us look forward to our time when we too get to go to that place and what company we will be in!!!
I was so sad to hear of Vestal's death. I have never met her, but admired her so much and really loved her voice! She felt like a sister! And she is in Christ! I loved reading about her going home Celebration! THANKS!
Vestal Goodman, a beloved Saint of God, we will miss you but we know that we meet again in that massion in the sky. You have truly blessed the hearts of many people around this fair world.
Thank you for the great article about Vestal. She will certainly be missed here on earth, but what a glorious Homecoming to be with Jesus. I loved all of their songs, but "This is what Heaven means to me" is really my favorite. For those who believe in Jesus, we will see them again some day, and continue to hear their singing. Praise the Lord
Thank you for the great article about Vestal's service. It gave us a glimpse of what a wonderful service it must've been! I have been a fan of Vestal's for many many years and will miss her greatly. To me, her strong anointed voice surpassed all others and the homecoming shows will just not be the same without her! I can't wait to hear her sing in heaven!! Vestal was not just a singer, but a minister and that really set her apart. I'm wondering if there is a video of her homegoing service available? It would be wonderful to see it!
I was very sad to hear that Vestal left us. She was a very special person. I remember when I was growing up in Beaumont Texas, I heard that voice on a tape and I thought, "I have got to hear more of this person's music!" She had a voice that a person would never never forget - a ministering voice. I'm sure she has given the angels' choir a gret boost!
I had the wonderful privilege of meeting Vestal Goodman,at a Christian bookstore,that was not hardly five mins from my house! She was there,having a booksigning for one of her cookbooks. I didn't buy one, I only wanted to meet this wonderful woman that I had grown to admire through watching her on the Gaither videos. So, I went through the line,where this beautiful woman sat behind the table,in a beauutiful navy suit(much different from the lavishes dresses she was so known for wearing on stage HA!). She held my hand and just smiled so warmly and sincerely. I told her I was disappointed that she wasn't gonna be singing for us,because I ws hoping to hear one of my favorite songs by her,"God Walks the Dark Hills," And she said in a soft voice,"would you like to hear a portion of it right here"? and I said," Oh!, that would mean sooooo much to me!" So, sitting behind this table,with ppl all around us,waiting to have their cookbook signed,she smiled amd looked straight in my eyes,and sang a portion of that song for me. I now know how much I cherish that memory,and always will, I will always remember how real and "down to earth" she was. But oh,she's far more than "down to earth" now! She's far above this old sinful earth,and when I leave this world, I'm gonna do like Vestal, I'm gonna get on a "life boat" and go Home to be with Jesus and her! I truly loved her,and always will. Thank you Deon,for your beautiful description of her homegoing celebration service! it sounded juuust like her! :thumbsup:
I will miss vestal so very much . She tuoched my heat and soul in so many ways :cry: I just cant beleav she is gone i cant wait to see her in Heaven . I also had the privlage of meeting vestal too!!! It was one of the best moments of my life.. when i was in a bad time in my life. i herd one of her songs GOD WALKS THE DARK HILLS it gave me hope so I could live and move on with life!!!! :cry: She was and still is an amazing women . i have the utmost respact for her!!!!!!! She was a beutiful lady as well!!!!!! I bet you see is sing her heart out in Heaven . She just made such an impacted one my life. But at lest I have her music to keep my sprits up while im going through the hard times once again :cry: my prayers go out to her family and dear friends. I will keep you in my prayers.May her story nad her singing praises to Jesus Christ be in all of are hearts and minds forever!!!!! Sinsearly your sister in Christ Camilla Fessenden
Anyone is welcomed to responed to my comment!!! Sister in christ Camilla Fessemden. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Im sorry
I remember hearing the Happy Goodmans when I was just a little girl. They have always been a blessing and inspiration to me and my family. A tremendous Godly couple who definitely knew what they were singing about. Will be sadly missed and I look forward to meeting them in heaven someday.
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