Published: May 16, 2008 11:38 pm            

In the arms of God now

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

At age 12, she became a born-again Christian, a decision her dad abhorred. He ended up kicking her out of the house, and thus began the Christian career of one the most respected and beloved gospel songwriters in the world. She has written more than 2,500 songs, many of which have been recorded by greats such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston and Porter Wagoner, just to name a few.

In 2007, Dottie was inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She was one of only 10 women to enter the hall.

Last Sunday morning, May 11, at 2:19 a.m. Joyce “Dottie” Rambo fell asleep on her 1997 Prevost tour bus and woke up in the arms of God. High, gusty winds pushed the bus down an embankment into a median on I-44 near Mount Vernon, Mo. She was 74. Seven other people on the bus, including her manager, were injured.

When I heard what I hoped was a terrible rumor, I Googled her name and found the legendary queen of gospel music was indeed dead.

My heart just broke, and I have grieved all week, searching the Internet, watching her sing on You Tube videos I know came straight from the heart of God.

Jennifer Hewlett, staff writer with the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader newspaper, wrote Dottie was perhaps the most prolific songwriter of her time and the greatest songwriter to come out of Kentucky. She said, “Dottie wrote songs with verses that would make Shakespeare smile.”

If you can’t quite put your finger on who Dottie Rambo was, I know you’ll recognized songs like “In the Valley He Restoreth my Soul,” “He Looked Beyond my Faults and Saw my Need,” “If That Isn’t Love,” “Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City,” “I Go to The Rock,” “Build My Mansion” and so many more.

I have spent the last few hours on You Tube watching, tearfully, as Dottie sings with such anointing and conviction, listening to the words of so many timely songs, songs that tell my story, and yours. I can only imagine that right about now there’s a whole lot of rejoicing taking place on those holy hills of Heaven. She’s reunited with family and some of her closest and dearest friends, saints like Vestal Goodman, Tammy Faye Baker, Porter Wagoner … yep, they’re all singin’ it better now. What a concert! What a reunion!

Porter Wagoner sang this song just before his death, and I know she’s singing now.



Sheltered

in the Arms of God



I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender. They’re leading me in paths that I must trod.

I’ll have no fear for Jesus walks beside me, for I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

So let the storm clouds rage high, the dark clouds rise. They don’t bother me.

For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

He walks with me and naught of earth shall harm me.

For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

Soon I shall hear the call from heaven’s portals, come home my child, it’s the last mile you must trod.

I’ll fall asleep and wake up in God’s sweet Heaven.

For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

a,

Knowing Dottie is in Heaven takes the sting out of death, but to lose a loved one so suddenly and tragically is difficult, to say the least. Please remember her daughter, Reba, and her family, and all those who loved and worked closely with her in your prayers.

A Dottie Rambo home-going celebration will be 1 p.m. Monday at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, Tenn., and is open to the public.   

Donations in Dottie’s memory may be made to Dottie Rambo Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 50508, Nashville, TN 37205

Keep the faith, hug a loved one today and worship somewhere tomorrow.



Sorrels is News & Eagle editorial assistant.