About DottieRamboMusic.com May 11, 2008
Posted by dottierambomusic in Dottie Rambo.trackback
This web site, DottieRamboMusic.com, is authorized by Rambo Evangelistic Association. DottieRambo.net has exceeded bandwidth and is experiencing sporadic outages. Because of injuries sustained in the bus accident, neither Larry Ferguson (manager) or Chris Barnes (webmaster) are able to oversee operation of the official web site.
We invite you, Dottie’s friends, to leave messages for her loved ones and share your stories of how Dottie’s songs, ministry and life touched you.
This web site is maintained by Aaron Crisler / The Judy Nelon Group.
Dottie Rambo has been an inspiration to my wife and I, with her many wonderful songs thru the years..We Pastored Churches for 45 years and sing some of her songs most every sunday. What a Blessing she has been to millions of people. I thank God for her and her wonderful ministery. I know she has passed thru those GATES of Glory. We will see her there, and hear her sing again.. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY LEFT behind, and her staff.
Dottie Rambo was indeed an inspiration. I remember getting the soundtract to “We Shall Behold Him” and being transported to another place where the prophetic word in the Bible came alive.
I know that Dottie is truly enjoying, is enraptured by and loving her Savior.
Dorothy Brooks
Dottie Rambo has been a blessing to me and my whole family.I have never known anyone like her before or may never again.She allowed the Lord to flow through her and use her in a mighty way.You could feel the annointing on her voice as she spoke and when she sang it was like an angel singing.It was such a big shock to me i can only imagine how you family must be feeling.I lost my mom suddenly in 1992 and she loved Dottie just as much as i did. I know they are rejoicing in heaven.You have that same quality in you Reba and i know your mother was very proud of you,My heartfelt sympathies are with all of your family .Your mom was a gift God gave us to help us survive our storms .I love you, Becky Barton
When I was a little girl The Rambo’s used to sing in Ft. Worth, TX alot. My family went to every singing. We would always go by and talk to Dottie and Buck. Dottie used to pick me up and talk to me and tell me to always live for God. She inspired me as I grew older to learn to sign. I now sign for our church and still love to sing all of Dottie’s older songs. She was a great inspiration and will be truely missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. The others also involved in the accident are in our prayers.
How can I say how much Dottie and The Rambos have touched my life. I have enjoyed her music for as long as I can remember. As a singer myself, I have sang them many,many times and used her music to minister to others more times than I can count. Her music has lifted my spirit on so many occasions over the years. She had and has a great annointing on her life that will continue to bless the lives of millions from now until Jesus comes. Though so sad to know that she isn’t with us any more. I’m so happy for her to be in the presence of Jesus. No more pain. No more hurt. But joy forever more. Praise God for her life ad memory. Imagine; Dotties in Heaven.
I didn’t know Dottie persoanlly but have seen her on so many Christian programs and have a lot of her music. We went to Branson two years ago and got to see her and Larry at the Jim Bakker show. She is a great lady and has been through so much but she had a greeat spirit.
We love her misic and will really miss seeing her. But, like many have said she won’t have to suffer anymore. She is in a wonderful place.
My condolences to all of the injured and their families. I am praying for Dottie’s family and all of the injrued ones and their families.
DOTTIE RAMBO WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PERSON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.AT HER CONCERT IN MY TOWN SHE SPENT TIME WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN AS IF THEY WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT FANS SHE HAD. WE TRULY LOVED HER AND I KNOW SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS SINGING ABOUT. YOU COULD FEEL JESUS’S LOVE IN ALL SHE SANG OR TALKED ABOUT. WE TRULY LOST ONE OF GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS. SHARON HICKS BIG STONE GAP, VA.
DOTTIE’S WALKIN’ IN NEW SHOES AND TEACHING ANGELS HOW TO SING
What an amazing Lady Dottie Rambo was!
There are no words to describe the sadness I share with so many others that she is now gone from us, but Thank God we had her! No one in ANY field of music could put a song together, or touch more people with just one song than Dottie Rambo. Words and music as meaningful and beautiful as hers are a gift from God through people’s souls and Dottie must have been his main vessel.
I grew up in Southern Gospel Music traveling with the Sego Brothers and Naomi and was privileged to work many shows with Dottie and “The Rambos”. Dottie wrote the Gospel the way it’s supposed to be. So incredibly encouraging and inspiring, never condescending, judgmental, or exclusionary. Her words and music literally saved my life more than one time, as I’m sure they did many others. “This Is My Valley”, “Too Much To Gain To Lose”, “In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul”, “Sheltered In the Arms of God” and so many others have and always will be a part of my life and my strength when I feel I can’t take another step. Dottie had a way of climbing back up from the bottom and through her songs showed others they not only could, but they MUST!
I can’t help but be overwhelmed with sadness to know she is gone, but I rejoice in the knowledge that her trials are now over and SHE is safely “Sheltered In the Arms of God”. Also that He gave us such a wonderful Lady with an amazing voice that surely touched more people in 74 years than any other human being that ever walked this Earth.
Earth’s devastating loss is Heaven’s gain.
“This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open!
When the Angels set my spirit free!
I’ll take my flight like the mighty eagle
When the Hills of Home start calling me…”
Bruce A. McGuire
nashbruce@aol.com
I’m deeply saddened by the death of Dottie Rambo. I first became acquainted with Dottie in the early 60’s. My parents and big sister sang together in a trio and performed with the Gospel Echoes on one or two occasions. I was just a little girl but, how well I remember the impact Dottie had on me. I wanted to be just like her–she was stunningly beautiful. I wanted to sing like her (she had the voice of an angel), play the guitar like her, smile like her, wear my hair like her. I wanted to BE Dottie Rambo. I idolized her.
As I grew into a teenager, Dottie remained my favorite singer. My twin sister and I formed our own trio with our big sister during these years, and we sang so many Dottie Rambo songs. My favorite may well have been, “One More River.” I had the lead on that one and always hoped I sounded a little like Dottie. I didn’t, of course, but I hoped I did anyway.
As an adult, my admiration and respect for Dottie only grew. I became aware of some of the personal and physical struggles she endured, and her ability to keep going never ceased to amaze me. She never gave up. She never quit. And above all, she never neglected the gift that God had given her. Through every storm, she seemed to rise stronger each time. She was one amazing woman.
The songs Dottie penned are some of the greatest gospel songs ever written, period! What an incredible talent and gift she possessed. Her love for the Lord was obvious in all of her songs, her longing for heaven apparent. The world has lost an incredible lady. I mourn her death, but it’s comforting to know that she died doing what she loved to do.
May God bless and comfort those closest to her, and may God strengthen those who were injured during this tragic accident. My prayers are with you all.
I remember first hearing Dottie sing with my parents at a gospel singing somewhere in KY. I was 8 years old and had kept a secret since I was 3 of being sexually abused by an uncle for years. The only solice and security I would get was turning on Dottie singing Sheltered In The Arms Of God every single night until I was born again at the age of 12 and started my healing through her music and God’s Word. Dottie you were my shelter from the storm when a little girl did not know how to find safety or security. You would sing me to sleep and put me in the arms of Jesus every night. I know you are sitting at the feet of Jesus and singing with the angels. I love you Dottie and I wish I could have met you personally. I am now 51 and still love the Lord and I give you much of the credit for keeping my love of the Lord number one in my life.
Bless all the injured ones on your bus and your dear family.
May the peace your mama gave me for so many years flood you at this time of mourning.
I CAN’T EXPRESS HOW MY HEART FEELS BROKEN OVER THE LOSS OF MISS DOTTIE RAMBO. YET, I KNOW SHE IS IN THE ARMS OF GOD WHERE HER HEART HAS ALWAYS REALLY BEEN. HER LIFE HERE ON EARTH WAS SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS, THE ANNOINTING OF THE SONGS IN WHICH SHE WROTE AND SANG TOOK YOU TO A PLACE WHERE YOU WERE IN THE PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, THOSE SONGS SHALL FOREVER LIVE ON AND ONE DAY WE WILL REJOIN HER WHERE THERE WILL BE NO MORE TEARS OR SORROW, RATHER THERE SHALL BE JOY AND PRAISE FOR ALL TIMES. TO REBA AND ALL THE FAMILY, MAY GOD GIVE YOU THAT PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING. MAY YOU HOLD DEAR TO THE MANTLE PASSED TO YOU THROUGH GODS ANNOINTING AND GO FORTH STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. I ALSO PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO WERE INJURED, THAT GOD GIVE THEM A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND RETURN TO COMPLETE HEALTH. GOD BLESS YOU ALL DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. DEBBIE
This dear woman gave me encouragement to keep pressing on when nothing else could help. The depth within her music tapped into the richest of oil, for the Balm of Gilead was then poured upon my wounded soul. The impact on me was magnified by the suffering she was personally going through, and a strange beauty and fragrance from her music was released within me because of this; I knew that if she could praise our Lord in these painful times, I could also.
My joy unspeakable and full of Glory for Dottie… is that she is now Home FREE ~ In her physical death her music is even more explosive, and the Lord knew this. How we need a touch from Him in a way that penetrates deeper than any thing in the natural can manifest. Until that day when, like dear Dottie, “We Shall Behold Him.”
What privilege to have been blessed by a sweet lady and her unbelieveable songs. I first heard Dottie and family 40 years ago in concert. I have been a Dottie fan from day one. I travel many miles to see Dottie over the years shedding many tears for the blessings that I have received from her songs and her life. I remember the joy of her returning to concert singng about ten years ago. We took a flight to Tenenssee to spend the weekend of Dotties’ return to public appearances. There have been many concerts and late night chats with Larry that have been a great blessing for me over the years. My thoughts and prayers for Reba and family for this great loss. I pray for the healing power on Larry and his family and for Ronnie and Chris. May God heal the broken heart and mend their lives during this time. I know Dottie entered the gates of Heaven ’shouting’. Heaven’s choir has a new member and we have a great loss.
Until HE Comes
I have loved Dottie Rambo’s music since I was an eleven year old boy. I was going through terrible physical,emotional and verbal abuse at that time. The Rambo’s music got me through all the abuse! I would put on her records and it was my escape from reality and what I was going through. I bought every album of the Rambos since I was eleven years old. I have them all! If Dottie didn’t make it to heaven, then no one will! I send my condolences to Reba and Dony,Israel and Destiny and the entire Rambo Family. I am now a movie composer. I was hoping to get more of Dottie’s music in films. She is in heaven now and as much as I”d like to bring her back,I would never do that. She has a new body now and there is no more pain. We will miss you Dottie but you will live on eternally in your music. This is the gift that you have left us all. I love you!
I guess I am alone in this, but I am angry about Dottie’s unceremonious departure. “No good deed goes unpunished”, apparently. I most definitely “Question the loss of a loved one”, in this case, and feel this great servant, small in stature, but huge in heart and spirit, should have had a much kinder exit. I guess I don’t know God at all — thought I did. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Goodbye Dottie, dear. We’ll most certainly miss your darling heart and tremendous talent. Carol in Minneapolis.
I too struggled with “the exit”, but came to realize how glorious and marvelous it was. She gave her life to her music and spent the better part of her life on-the-road sharing the music and the message. Even at age 74 she continued doing what she loved to do. She slept peacfully in her bunk traveling to the next gig, then suddenly, no more pain, no more heartache, no more surgery, no more backache and no more tears. In the blink of an eye God took her home. It’s comes strangely close to being transfigured. What can possibly be said at her memorial service that she hasn’t already said? “Earth’s loss is heaven’s gain, but we’ll meet again when God gathers flowers, Come Spring.”
Dottie is such a great gospel legend. She has touch so many lives with her beautiful songs. The doors of heaven have welcomed her home.Oh that will be glory for me, glory for me,to see you in heavenly places Dottie, around the throne of God with your beautiful singing.
I met Dottie when I was 12 yrs. old. She was a sweet sweet spirit. She will be deeply missed. My sympathies go out to the family. She is with her Lord and Savior now. We will miss her however the Lord has welcomed her with open arms.
I was honored to be in the presence of Miss Dottie and the gang on Thursday night . My manager that I work with heard me say I wanted to go and see her in person my choir had sang so many of her beautiful songs for years and worked the late shift for me . My husband a few of our friends were there and sat in the 2nd from the front row . I couldnt take my eyes off her her she was so beautiful and so fraile and so strong all at the same time .. When her little boys came up and sang to us it was a delight to see them . And to see how the guys keep care of her . I carried that night so dear to my heart. And when my friend came to work and told me that she passed on Mothers day I couldnt believe it and now when I hear her sing Momma taught the angels to sing I can see her up in heaven with all of her body strong and pain less………..Dottie we will miss you but am so glad you are in Gods arm now ….Ruth
It’s unbelievable how much we can love a person and never meet them in person…kind of like Jesus. That’s the way I feel about Dottie Rambo. I started buying the Rambo albums in the 70’s when I was about 16 years old. I can only say, her songs probably helped me walk much closer to the Lord throughout my life. God set a path in her life and she walked it…what a faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those near and dear to her heart..and especially now for those who were with Dottie on the bus. Her music and spirit lives on. Dottie, thank you for your sacrifice of praise…it was and still is priceless!! Barb
I was priviledged to meet Dottie Rambo a few years ago when she was singing in Dollywood. My husband and our two children got to listen to her sing and she did such an outstanding job. You could feel the presence of God in every song. Dottie was truly an inspiration. Even my children commented on how precious she was that day singing and they were on the edges of their seats listening to every word she sang. At the end of her concert, she sat at a table out front and signed books, records, and CD’s for people, and I got to speak to her about her music and how she had touched my life and she smiled so beautifully and a tear ran down her face. That day she signed my shirt that I was wearing and I have it in my closet. I write songs myself as God gives them to me…and I want these songs to be anointed the way that Dottie’s were. She was truly an inspiriation and will be greatly missed!!
During the mid to late 1960s, the Rambos and my dad’s trio, The Gospel Servants, sang at many churches together. It began when the Rambo’s came to my town to sing, and my dad’s group fronted them. From then on, the two groups performed together at several churches. It was a great friendship filled with love, admiration and respect. My dad was also a gospel songwriter and Dottie loved his songs and encouraged him in his efforts. To show how close they had become, the Gospel Servants recorded an album in 1969 that contained seven of my dad’s songs and the rest were written by Dottie Rambo.
The Rambos invited the Gospel Servants backstage at the National Quartet Convention in Nashville. I was 8 or 9. I remember being back there fellowshiping with our friends and others. I remember that Reba picked me up and sat me on the lap of cowboy actor Chill Wills, who was the voice of Francis The Talking Mule. He had on a white 3-piece suit, complete with white shirt and white tie and a white cowboy hat. Reba stood watch to make I didn’t do something that i wasn’t supposed to do, and after the photo session ended, she took me off his lap. I remember her laughing and smiling the entire time. I will never forget that moment.
God Bless Reba and her family during this time.
I was so shocked to her of Dottie Rambo’s passing. I remember seeing the Rambo’s at a Mull Singing in Knoxville,
TN. I was 13 and what an impression she made on me as she sung and talked about God. I have often sang Dottie Rambo songs at church. She was one of the great songwriters of all time. May God comfort her family, friends and fans.
CREDIT TO DOTTIE RAMBO
1ST KINGS 4:32 SAYS SOLOMON WROTE 1005 SONGS, DOTTIE HAS WRITTEN 2500 +.
A TRIBUTE TO DOTTIE RAMBO
RARE BEAUTIFUL ROSE OF THE CENTURY
WHOSE SONGS OF UNTOLD WORTH.
NUMBERED TWICE THOSE OF SOLOMON, THE WISEST KING ON EARTH.
DOTTIE THRILLED THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS
AND FROM HER GRIEF AND PAIN, FLOWED BEAUTIFUL SONGS OF HEALING.
GIVING THE HOPELESS HOPE AGAIN.
EVEN IN CHILDHOOD DAYS SHE WAS A LEGEND IN HER TIME.
CARRYING THE GOSPLE MESSAGE
AND SINGING THE SONGS OF ZION.
TOUCHED BY THE MASTERS HAND,HER GIFTS HAS BROUGHT HER FAME.
DOTTIE RAMBO HAS A LEGACY, PRECIOUS FEW WILL ATTAIN
THE VERY MOMENT SHE ARRIVES HEAVENS BELLS ARE SURE TO RING.
SHE HAS GONE TO HELP MAMA”TEACH ANGELS HOW TO SING”
FREDDIE TURNER
MILLINGTON , TN
conkie98@yahoo.com
I feel everything has been said, but I have to add my small voice to the others, I am devastated and I feel we have been cheated out of a lot more beautiful songs. but Dotties blessings that she left us in her songs will live on forever. God Bless you, Reba and family.l
The first Dottie Rambo song I remember hearing as a child was “Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus”! The first recording I personally bought of The Rambos was the double album set, “LIVE at Soul’s Harbor” in about 1976 which led me to buy every release by them over the next several years!
The only time I ever had the opportunity to see The Rambos in person was at the Galena Park High School auditorium (just east of Houston, TX) in either the late ’70’s or early 80’s (Reba had left the group shortly before this concert). The concert was poorly promoted with only about 200 people in attendence…it didn’t matter though, it was a very intimate evening as MsDottie led us in worship for over two hours as if there were 2000 in attendence! I’ll never forget that evening, as it impacted my life more than any other southern gospel concert (worship service) I ever attended!
Thank you Dottie for impacting my life leaving a legacy that will remembered throughout eternity!
Dottie has been an inspiration for me for 20 years. In 1992, I became ill and I drew strength from Dottie’s testimony. There is not a day that I don’t sing one of Dottie’s song. One time in 1996, when I was very ill, I had a dream. In it, we, (my family), were backstage with Dottie awaitng our turn to sing with Dottie “We shall behold Him.” Another music ministry sang the song before our turn and Dottie tells me in my dream, not to worry, and says “Son you better wake up because someone needs your help.” When I awoke, I could hear the cries of a woman outside. Quickly I got up and called the authorities. I felt her annointing that night, because of my illness, sometimes it is a struggle to get out of bed. I know that the Lord used Dottie in my dream to help that individual in distress that night.
I am in shock and in mourning of the passing of this great lady, but I know that she is in a better place and “teaching angels how to sing.”
When I heard of Dottie’s death, a fountain of tears was opened. I couldn’t quit crying. When I told my husband I didn’t know why it affected my like it did, he said, “Listen, let me read a portion from a book that migh help explain it”. He began to read about a young man whose death had affected him in the same way. “One morning I awoke early and could not get back to sleep. My soul was agitated and restless. After what seemed like an hour of tossing and turning, I got up and went outside for a walk. Waves of grief began to sweep over my soul. But it was not all about my friend Brent or even primarily about him. His death was the lance that pierced the wound of all the ungreived grief of my life. Sorrow from my marriage, from college days, from wounds I received as a child–all of them poured through the place of release. Why had I waited so many years to shed these tears? As I wept I realized that Paul was right. How can we live without groaning? If we do not give our ache a voice it doesn’t go away.” I trust that our precious Sister’s passing can be a bigger blessing than even her wonderful life was, as people allow her death to become the lancet to pierce the wound of the the ungreived grief in their lives.
What a wonderful, blessed & used of God lady she was! Not to mention what a blessing she was to those she sang to, yours truly included. It was April the 18th., 2008 that I saw her at our church, never until then realizing just how much I would be touched by her. Absolutely an evening I shall naver forget. Truly, she has beheld Him and I know she left here shoutin’!
I was given the opportunity to interview Dottie when she was in Michigan this past april. Due to my own health issues and dialysis I had to regretfully decline. Now, that opportunity will come no more. I am a huge fan of Dottie Rambo and I’m always bragging on her to my listeners. Now Dottie begins her new life, in her real home,with our lord Jesus Christs. Dottie will live on in our hearts thru her music. I don’t think I can go 5 minutes on my radio shift without, unintentually, playing a Dottie Rambo song. My thoughts, prayers and love go out to Dony, Reba and family, and everyone involved in this tragedy.
From the time I first heard Dottie’s songs as a 7 year old boy sitting in front of an old portable record player, I was drawn to the message God was speaking through her. I played the album I had been given for Christmas until the grooves were gone, and then had mom buy me another one just to hear Dottie and Reba sing.
No other singer or writer seemed to be able to communicate the way Dottie did, and the message of God through her was one of complete and unconfined love. Many times in my own life and circumstances, it was a Dottie Rambo song that helped get me through my own, personal darkness. Many times it was hearing her voice and songs that helped loosen the chains that wanted to bind me in defeat.
Through her music and knowing of the trials of her life I learned more about God’s love and constant abiding presence than perhaps through all the ministers and preachers I knew.
Although I never met Dottie Rambo, in fact I never was able to see her perform live, but the impact she left on me is undeniable and everlasting.
I am sorry for this great loss as she was taken last week … and my prayers are certainly with her family, but I rejoice in the fact she is in God’s eternal presence ‘ … where the heart will never break any more.’
This is from one of “Dotties Dearest” web site. I have grown up listening to Dotties music and traveling to see her, Buck and Reba in the 70’s and was so sorry about all her sickness. Her music has always been such a blessing to me and has helped me thru some hard times. It was such a joy when she was able to tour again and just in the last 2 or 3 years i have went to see her at dollywood a couple of times and got to meet her and have some pictures made with her and i will surely cherish those as well as my shirts signed by her.It has been such a blessing to be on the “Dotties Dearest” list and receive my e-mails, which has been my high life of the internet. Thanks to Larry and Chris for this site. When I heard about the crash and Dotties death I was so heart broken to know this had happened and that we had lost the queen of gospel music. There will never be another Dottie..And at the same time I was so excited to know her pain here is over and she is truly “Sheltered in the arms of God. Our prayers are with the family and for larry,chris and the driver.
I was so up set when i was told that she had went to heaven i lost it and it still bothers me i was going to cinn oh to see her but did not go i said i will wait till she comes some where closer to where i live and see her i never got to meet her but her voice and her songs and the way she love God like she did i love her very much i only got two of her cds but sure would like to get more and have always i always try to fine her cds and could not but than some one had her on my space and i got her as my friend that is when i seen on her cds i went and got Dottie Rambo news and it show how you could buy more but it is not there any more so pleses let me know how to get them and she and her family will be in my prayers and she has a song call Gods Gathers flowers , come spring and she went home to Jesus in the spring some day ,she will sing to me when i get to heaven God Bless her and her family I love Dottie very much my love and prayers go out to ever one who knew and love her
Please be in prayer for Chris and his family. His mother is very ill and may not be able to travel to see him. Again, please keep the Barnes family in your thoughts and prayers.
Our family has been inspired of “The Rambo’s” over the years. Dottie carried on a tenacious spirit when “declaring the works of the Lord” -as certain reports meant otherwise-though may mean her life, she kept living on for Him. Pain is warning as well as a motivator,and the anointing keeps your mind focused on ministering Christ to other hurting,broken,and persistant people. My prayers are especially for Reba,Donny and their family. I discovered the announcement on “Entertainment Weekly”, which is my brother’s magazine. Pray for us as our family faces decisive situations.
To Dottie’s Daughter:
About 1950 was when my family met Dottie. It was at The Church of God of Prophecy in Evansville, Indiana. Our pastor was Sister Clara Reese and she, too, was from Morganfield, Kentucky, a widow with one daughter, Doris. I remember Dottie (Luttrell) coming to the church with her guitar in a large case and singing for us. She was very pretty with long dark hair. Now while singing in my church choir, for many years, we have sung many of her songs. She was truly gifted and now singing with the heavenly choir. Our thoughts are with you.
I would personally like to thank Reba and her family for sharing this wonderful ray of light. Dottie’s songs shall keep living on thru people that love to sing. I have sang her songs for years and each one that I have heard has touched my soul. There is such an anointing that is upon all of her songs. What a true gift from God she was.
My prayers also go out to the folks that were injured. May God touch your body,mind and soul and completly heal you May he make you stronger everyday to face the road ahead. Always remember, whether you are in a valley or climbing a mountain HE IS ALWAYS THERE….
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 IN GOD’S NEW HEAVEN
FOR I’M SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD
SO LET THE STORMS RAGE HIGH
THE DARK CLOUDS RISE
THEY WON’T WORRY 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
Thank you, Dottie.
I met Dottie Rambo when I was 12 at a concert in Tallassee, AL in 1977. My mom had just died 2 years prior, I was depressed and hopeless. When I saw this beautiful, well-dressed, classy lady share about her life and how she was kicked out of her home at the age of twelve…I rededicated my life to Christ. Because she survived a hard life and did something great for God, I knew I could too. She loved me and made me feel like I could conquer anything. I wrote her letters, set with her at concerts and wanted so desperately, as a child, to sing with her. I did have that opportunity on two occasions.
Dottie encouraged me and told me to go after my dreams. I had every one of her albums and I played them when my home life was out of control. I would listen to her music and God’s presence would fill my room and bring comfort and peace that passed all understanding.
I did overcome through the grace of God! I am now Co-Pastor of a church in Decatur, AL. I speak at Women’s Conferences around the nation sharing the same hope and love Dottie Rambo shared with me when I was 12. I wonder where I would be if I hadn’t had that divine encounter with Dottie Rambo. My life was forever changed by her transparency and love. Her music led me into the presence of Christ where I found hope, healing and peace. I learned to sing and minister from her example. She loved people and made a huge difference in my life. May we all follow our passion and serve Jesus with our whole hearts. When we do miracles happen. I’m a miracle that happened as Dottie invested her gifts into the Body of Christ.
Dottie was always careful to let everyone know that it was Jesus who was the star of her concerts. She was so careful to “not overshadow, but stand in the shadow” of an awesome God. Today, I’m grateful to an awesome God who takes hopeless little girls and makes legends and world changers out of them.
Dear Family:
I can only imagine your feelings of loss. But rejoice, for we know that joy comes in the morning. I admire Sister Rambo’s music, I know her source of inspiration for which I will ever be grateful. I thank the Lord for you, for her friends and for those who seek peace in this time of trouble and loss. Jesus is the answer.
Godspeed, do his biding until he comes again.
Jonathots . . . 24 hours later
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
I was twenty-two years old and living in Central Ohio, working with a little group of singers of my own concoction which we had dubbed Soul Purpose. Our display of gigs included a handful of coffee houses, a couple of churches, youth rallies and one amazing performance with Andre Crouch and the Disciples at a college in our area, which I had gotten by convincing the Dean of Students that Andre was always late to dates and they would need a warm-up group just to cover that possibility.
Well, anyway, just to make a long story even longer, one of the girls in our group named Luanne, heard that the Singing Rambos were going to be in Columbus, Ohio at a large church. Now, the Rambos were a really famous gospel group of the 1970s and Dottie Rambo was, of course, arguably the greatest gospel songwriter of our time. Luanne was convinced that if Dottie could just hear the song I had written–The Blood of the Son Makes Us One–that she would want to record it. It was very similar logic to a mother sending a speech from her seventh grade student to the President of the United States, hoping he would incorporate some of the better ideas. But I was twenty-two–what did I know? So we trekked off to the concert, which was the easy part. That is, until it was over and Luanne wanted us to walk up to these well-known singers and plug our song. I should rephrase that. Luanne was already on her way up to them, dragging me along behind. We talked to the daughter first, who was named Reba. She was our age and we thought she might be more approachable. She began to give us the straight party line: “Send us a tape and we’ll listen to it…” and so forth and so on. About that time, her dad–Buck was his name–came up and I nervously explained to him what we wanted to do and that look came across his face that we all have seen before–that look that was a combination of, “Oh, what the heck?” and “After all, it could be good for laughs on the bus later…”
So we went over to the piano and sang the song for him, got done with the first verse and he disappeared. Honestly, I was expecting some form of rejection. But when he completely disappeared, I thought that was a little much. But a moment later he came back with his wife in tow. Yes. Ms. Dottie Rambo. He told us to sing it again. So we did and we were in the middle of the second chorus when I had to stop singing because I had tears in my eyes because I was looking at this great songwriter, Dottie Rambo, who was weeping over my composition–moved. She said, “I’ve been praying for a song just like that.” Then she quipped, “Go ahead. Play me some more.”
Well, that night I learned a very valuable lesson. Because I didn’t really have any more.
So I learned that if you’re going to show off your wares at the fruit market, it might be a good idea to have more than one tomato. Anyway, she went on to record my song on her album and opened many doors for me. I bring this up because most of you probably already know that recently she was killed in a tragic bus accident. She was seventy-four years old, driving in the back of a bus on her way from Missouri to Texas to perform. What a damned fitting, wonderful end for such a dynamic traveling troubadour.
So, Dottie, thank you for teaching me two very valuable lessons–the first one being that great people don’t need to act great and important because their work has already established who they are and they can take the chance on just being real. And secondly, if you want to sell something, it’s always good to have more than one.
Journey well, dear sister, and if you don’t mind, we’ll keep your tunes playing for many years to come.
When I received a call about 6:45 am on Mother’s Day of news that Dottie passed early on Sunday morning, at first I cried, then I smiled for the first thing I heard was her singing,
“I’ve had my share of sorrow, I’ve walked the rocky road, I’ve known what it meant to have a broken heart and to bear a heavy load, but I don’t regret my journey, I’ve traveled here below, cause I’m gonna leave here shouting when my time comes to go!”
“Don’t want nobody weeping when I draw my final breath, I’ll fall asleep in the cradle of love and never feel the sting of death, so say a big halluahah, I’ve finally reached my goal, and I’m gonna leave here shouting when my time comes to go!”
“I’m gonna leave here shouting when I head for the Promise Land, if I’m too feeble to praise the Lord, to lift up my dieing head, angels bear me over on wings as white as snow, and I’m gonna leave here shouting when my time comes to go……..
Dottie had a vison many years ago what was ahead of her….a home without heartache or pain…..God blessed her with words that helped us know there was a Land for His children to rest…..Dottie made it there first…..we which are left will sooner than later travel the same road…..Dottie’s gift to us was her ability to give us a small glimpse of what awaits us when we arrive! Thank God for a Special Lady!
I am looking for sheet music to one of Dottie’s songs, Sailing Toward Home. Do you know who I could contact to purchase the sheet music or a songbook that may have this song in it. Sailing Toward Home is one of Dottie’s older songs, but has been recorded recently by the Oak Ridge Boys and Paid In Full. Dottie was one of the greatest songwriters and singers. She will be deeply missed. Thank you.
I as the rest of the worrld love Miss Dottie; I got up at 2:00 am this week and the Lord gaave me a dong; I want to send it to Reba; it is from the Lord-I promise. I am a pastor’s wife, sing/writer as the Lord gives them. I need Reba’s address and I will mail her a letter and CD. Send her address to email: jack-pat @sbcglobal.net
In His love & blessings
Pat Bell
Madill, Ok.
580-263-0117
My wife Jean passed away in March after 63 years of marriage leaving me with a family of five godly children. two of my grand chldren sang the dottie rambo Composition Sheltered neath The Arms of God and now dottie has also changed her address. Miss them? for sure. Wish them back? not at all. See them soon? what joy awaits us. Even so come lord jesus and take your waiting people home
Ron verner
Queensland
Australia
Theirs not much I can say that everybody else has already said that would be much different…. I was wondering if somebody could help me out. I’ve tried shopping everywhere for dottie rambos new cd. and everywhere I’ve looked they don’t have it in stock… I know it’s out there but haven’t ran into it. i’d appreciate it so much. and God bless you everyone
Dottie’s new CD will be released Sept. 15th, 2009.
I HAD THE THRILL OF MY LIFE IN JANUARY OF 2008 WHEN I WENT TO MY FIRST EVER DOTTIE CONCERT WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. IT WAS IN A TINY LITTLE CHURCH IN NIOTA, TN. SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT I HAD TO KEEP REMINDING MYSELF THAT I WAS ACTUALLY HEARING DOTTIE IN PERSON. I GOT TO POSE WITH HER, AND AS MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS GETTING READY TO SNAP THE PICTURE I SAID IF YOU MESS THIS UP I’LL KILL YOU. DOTTIE WITH HER QUICK WIT SAID,”PLEASE DON’T WHOOP HER” I LOVED AND RESPECTED HER AS A PERSON, A SINGER, AND. HER MINISTERING. FOUR MONTHS LATER SHE WENT TO HEAVEN, I THANK GOD I GOT TO MEET HER. I AM DESPERATE TO GET HER CD “SHELTERTED” WITH PORTER WAGNER PLEASE TELL ME HOW. THANKYOU
I LEFT A MESSAGE LAST YEAR WHEN I LEARNED OF DOTTIE’S DEATH. WE TRAVELED TO NASHVILLE FOR VISITATION FOR THE FUNERAL. DOTTIE LOVED CHILDREN AND AT THIS SAD TIME HER BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER TOOK THE TIME TO TALK WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO HAD MET DOTTIE AND LOVED HER SO MUCH. REBA YOUR MOTHER WOULD BE SO PROUD TO KNOW AT THIS SAD TIME IN YOUR LIFE YOU SHARED A PRECIOUS MEMORY WITH A CHILD. I HAD MET DOTTIE WHO WAS SO SPECIAL AND NOW SO IS HER DAUGHTER. SHARON HICKS