What Are Some Facts Surrounding the Death of Vestal Goodman?
Some facts surrounding Vestal Goodman’s death include that she died on Dec. 27, 2003, and that her death occurred 10 days after her 74th birthday. Vestal Goodman contracted the flu while vacationing with her family during the Christmas holidays and ultimately died from the illness.
Another fact about Vestal Goodman’s death is that she died in Celebration, Florida. Goodman was in the middle of a tour with fellow gospel singer Bill Gaither at the time of her death.
Attendees at Goodman’s funeral reported that many people attended the funeral. They said that the funeral combined a celebration of Goodman’s life with a celebration of heaven. Service organizers played Vestal and husband Howard Goodman’s recording of “Mansion Over the Hilltop,” as caretakers brought Vestal Goodman’s body down the aisle for viewing during the funeral. Pastor L. H. Hardwick, Jr., as the Pastor of Christ Church, offered scripture reading and a prayer at the funeral.
Other artists played music at the funeral, including Janet Paschal singing “How Are Things At Home,” and Vince Gill adding “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Bill Gaither’s choir sang several musical numbers. The service lasted more than two hours. Christian comedian Mark Lowry attended the service.
Goodman left one living son and one daughter. Her husband, Howard Goodman, died a year before Goodman’s death. Goodman and her husband, Howard, recorded 15 number-one gospel hits that earned the pair a spot in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
