Singer Songwriter Dottie Rambo killed in Bus Accident
May 11, 2008
Around 2:00AM this morning legendary songwriter Dottie Rambo was killed in a bus accident that according to the highway patrol report was totaled. The bus struck a guard rail and then hit an embankment. According to the report the bus driver and product person sustained serious injuries while her manager Larry Ferguson, his wife and 2 children are listed with moderate injuries. Dottie was listed as the only fatality and was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:19AM.
Please pray for Dottie’s family and for the survivors of the accident.
Here is a copy of the crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. At the present time we do know that deadly storms which killed a dozen people were taking place but it is not clear at the present time if that was the direct cause of the bus crash which claimed Gospel Music’s most beloved songwriter.
Online Traffic Crash Reports
| Investigated By | Date | Time | County | Location | Troop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPL S JONES #500 AND CPL S. RICHARDSON #753 | 05/11/2008 | 2:19AM | LAWRENCE | I-44 2 MILES EAST OF MT VERNON | D |
| Veh. # | Vehicle Description | Damage | Disposition | Driver Name | Driver Gender | Driver Age | Safety Device | Driver City/State | Driver Insurance | Vehicle Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997 PREVOST | TOTAL | BIELLIERS TOWING, MT VERNON, MO | MEADOWS, RONNIE | MALE | 62 | UNKNOWN | NASHVILLE, TN | UNKNOWN | NORTH |
| Veh. # | Name | Gender | Age | Injury Type | Safety Device | City/State | Involvement | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BARNES, CHRISTOPHER T | MALE | 22 | SERIOUS | NO | FRANKLIN, TN | OCCUPANT | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | FERGUSON, CHRISTIAN | MALE | 8 | MODERATE | NO | FRANKLIN, TN | OCCUPANT | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | FERGUSON, JUDY | FEMALE | 28 | MODERATE | NO | FRANKLIN, TN | OCCUPANT | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | FERGUSON, LARRY | MALE | 30 | MODERATE | NO | FRANKLIN, TN | OCCUPANT | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | FERGUSON, PIERCE | MALE | 3 | MODERATE | NO | FRANKLIN,TN | OCCUPANT | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | MEADOWS, RONNIE | MALE | 62 | SERIOUS | UNKNOWN | NASHVILLE, TN | DRIVER | ST JOHNS HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MO |
| 1 | RAMBO, JOYCE | FEMALE | 74 | FATAL | NO | NASHVILLE, TN | OCCUPANT | LAKIN FUNERAL HOME,MT VERNON, MO |
| THIS IS TROOP D’S FATALITY #37 FOR YEAR 2008 FATALITY ACCIDENT - NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED. VEHICLE #1 RAN OFF THE ROADWAY, STRUCK THE GUARD RAIL AND AN EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE BY LAWRENCE COUNTY CORONER DON LAKIN AT 0420 HOURS. |
So God finally decided that it was time to call our sister home. I’m glad that she didn’t linger, after everything she had been through. The pain is over and she leaves us with such a rich musical legacy. Another voice has joined that heavenly choir but, we’re a little poorer because of it. Goodbye for now, Dottie. We’ll see you soon, my sister in the Lord.
She was a legend for God along with her family. An inspiring songwriter and a woman who seemed to really love God. She will be greatly missed and now she won’t have to be Homesick anymore. She’s home now with the greatest one of all, whom the Christians know and serve. Pray for the family and her loved ones. God Bless and Keep the Faith!
This is just so sad. I remember the Singing Rambos from my childhood, and was always moved by their music. She was such a gifted singer and songwriter. The only good thing here is that apparently the Lord chose to take her while she slept. She was a legend! We’ll miss you Dottie!
I am heartbroken to hear of the homegoing of Dottie Rambo. I have been a longtime fan. My prayers go up for her family and everyone involved in this tragedy.
Tony Merritt
I’m sad to learn that dear precious Dottie Rambo is gone from this world. I could truly say she was my favorite singer of all time. Her music brought me through many trials and tests.
I was blessed to hear the Rambos in concert back in the 70’s. I was also blessed to get her autograph through a friedn when she was in Copper Mountain, Colorado a few years ago..
I think my favorite song was I Will Lift You There.
I also loved Midnight In the Middle of the Day.
She was so beautiful in every way.
She is now with Jesus forever. She started out at twelve, left all to sing and preach the gospel. She was on her way to lift him up again when God called her home.
I will miss seeing her on Christian television.
This lady was a blessing and left us a blessing, her music.
God bless and comfort Reba and her family.
“I’ll be gone to be with Jesus come Spring.” is true now for her.
It is sad to hear of Ms. Dottie’s passing. Another great lady to leave and go home. I can just hear Sis Vestal welcoming her home and my what sweet music is going on in Heaven right now. This has made me sit and take note of all the times I have listen either by records or live concerts of both ladies. My what sweet music. And heaven is blessed Ms. Dottie will be missed.
I’m sad to learn that dear precious Dottie Rambo is gone from this world. I could truly say she was my favorite singer of all time. Her music brought me through many trials and tests.
I was blessed to hear the Rambos in concert back in the 70’s. I was also blessed to get her autograph through a friend when she was in Copper Mountain, Colorado a few years ago..
I think my favorite song was I Will Lift You There.
I also loved Midnight In the Middle of the Day.
She was so beautiful in every way.
She is now with Jesus forever. She started out at twelve, left all to sing and preach the gospel. She was on her way to lift him up again when God called her home.
I will miss seeing her on Christian television.
This lady was a blessing and left us a blessing, her music.
God bless and comfort Reba and her family.
“I’ll be gone to be with Jesus come Spring.” is true now for her.
I am so sorry to hear about Dottie . She was a inspiraration to us all. Always in my hearts . I love the way she praised her Lord & Savior .what a sad thing to lose her ,But we know she with her LORD JESUS CHRIST. My prayers go out for the family . & friends. She will be missed So long for now Dottie See you in Heaven .Linda Ray Sanford, NC
Sorry to hear about Dottie. She was a good song writer. WE are praying for her family. God bless each one of you. Welcome Home Dottie God await you with opening arms
I, too, feel the sting of sweet little Miss Dottie’s passing yesterday…NOW, she
will be “SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD” and “WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ANYMORE.” Her songs will linger on in our hearts and I have a lot of them
stored up in my “Memory Bank” that I hope will last me throughout my lifetime…
anytime I need words of comfort, peace, joy, confidence, I can THINK about the
words to those songs I remember, and I find that the greatest songwriter of all
times has left us a wonderful legacy of her music behind for us to find the things
we need at any particular time. WE LOVED YA, DOTTIE…We will miss you. My
prayers are definitely with Larry, his family and Chris, also. May God give you all
the strength and peace and comfort to take you through the days ahead.
GOD BLESS! “Miss” Frances from Henry, VA.
I have heard the Rambos all my life. I loved to hear Dottie and Reba sing with their awesome harmony. My 18 year old daughter is named after Reba (Reeba). God has a new Angel in his choir now, can you imagine the wonderful sound.
We have lost one of the most gifted songwriters of all time. The gift of lyric was incredible. I loved to hear her sing. The Lord decided he needed that voice in the heavenly choir now, and I am thankful that she is now with him. My prayers go out to her family and the others involved in the accident.
My prayers go out to the family. My family & I have sang many of Dottie’s songs in church & she will be missed very much by my family & friends. May God richly bless the family.. Many prayers to you all. Love you all much, Debbie & family from sterling, colorado
This sad news had left me numb all over. I am simply devastated.
I am so sorry to hear about Dottie,she was a great Gospel writer and singer and now she is the prensence of the LORD and she is w ith all the great gospel singers that has gone before her,we all will miss her and I will be praying for her family and I will see her again one day.
To those of us still living it is a very sad news and i know that i am going to miss her but one thing i know is that she has gone to be with the lord in glory. this is my consolation. i ‘ll sure miss you, but in all things we should give God thanks even if we are brokenhearted.
dottie was the most powerful gospel sing.GOD has called one home for that great reunion day. her family is in our prayers
Does anyone know if Shay-Shay her little puppy was on the bus as well? If so how did she come out? Miss Dottie always traveled with her other dog so I figured the new puppy would be along as well. Fay Maynard
I loved to hear dottie and her family sing I have some records, tapes, and CD’s. i loved the song “The Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me” Dottie sang that song beautifully . really she sang all of her songs beautifully.
I’d Like To Express My Deepest Sympothy and Condolences For All Survivors and The Rambo Family. You all are in my prayers.
Love And Prayers,
Bro. Randall Sigmon
Sugar Hill Baptist Church/ The True Believers
I am sad to hear of her death. Family just know that she is at the feet of Jesus now and will never have any pain again. May God Bless you all
Gathering flowers for the Master’s boquet. How wonderful. He sure picked a beautiful rose this time. What a lovely lady. What a talent. How sad her family must be yet Heaven just got a little sweeter as the Angels just escorted her through the gates. May God comfort her family in a way that only He can.
The 2 greatest southern Gospel songs were “He Came to Me”, written by Brother Parsons and “Tears will never stain the streets of that city” written by Dottie Rambo. She was a great writer. Just days ago I found an old Rambo album and purchased it, I still like the music of Southern Gospel from the 70’s the best. During that time, Dottie sang with great conviction and passion.
it was a very sad day this mother’s day to hear that dottie rambo has gone home to be with our lord that she has written so many songs about for years. our loss is heavens gain. she will be sorely missed by millions. my prayers go out to the entire rambo family. we will be sad but for a season but one day we will all be singing in that great homecoming choir in the sky in a land thats free from care. so for me its goodbye to dottie for now but we will see her again someday!
What a precious and very talented singer for our Lord. Dottie, we will miss you and remember you forever. Now you are singing for Jesus. I cried so hard when I heard the news of your passing but I know that you are rejoicing now with our Lord. Marcia Iker, Cincinnati, Ohio
Well seems that another of God’s children has made it home. I bet Sister Vestal was glad to see her!!! Our loss is Heaven’s gain. May God Bless her family. Thank you Dottie for all you gave to the Lord!! We will see you again one day. Christa Cyrus
I want to give honor to GOD who gave Dottie the gift of music. Many times when people become successful and charge 10,000 dollars air fare, meals and hotels they lose sight of who Christ is and he isn’t merchandise are a vehicle to prosper themselves,
God chose Dottie to bless HIS people.
DOTTIE’S TEACHING ANGEL’S 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 so sorry to hear that another one just went home to be with Jesus. Oh i loved her so much , when i was down, all i would have to do is just put her music on and listen to her and she would bring me up with her annointed spirit that she had. Before i knew it i was shouting the praise,s to God . i will miss her so much ,but she is singing her heart out now ,it just makes me long all the more to go where she is and it won,t be long at the most …Love You Dottie so much…. ellen..She was so annointed.Praise God so much…ellen…
Just have not been able to stop listening to Dottie Rambo songs and crying buckets of tears since I heard the news. Oh yes, all the greats who have gone on before will be there to form a heavenly choir, but the sweetest voice and musician of all, will be playing the piano and joining her voice…my precious Mom, who went to be with Jesus “come spring”…(3/7/08). I miss my Mom so much, and Dottie was her favorite singer/songwriter. I know there is some awesome Praise and Worship and some down home campmeeting singing going on there in Heaven. No more suffering, no more pain, no more heartache because “Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City”.
Just haven’t been able to stop listening to Dottie’s songs and crying buckets of tears since I heard the news of her death. Yes, all the greats will be there joining in the heavenly choir. But the sweetest voice of all will be playing the piano for this choir and joining her voice with the “greats”…my beautiful, sweet Mom who went to be with Jesus “Come Spring” (3/7/08). I miss her so much but know she is in a better place with her favorite singer/songwriter, Dottie Rambo, and they are singing together for Jesus!!! I will see them again some day. There is no more pain, no more suffering, no heartache,,,,for “Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City”.
Dottie Rambo…….what can I say, we are going to miss you!!!! My early childhood in North Carolina has some wonderful memories of the The Singing Rambo’s. On one weekend we saw them on Friday night in eastern NC and the next night in Charlotte. Over the years the words to many of the songs Dottie wrote has inspired me an helped me in many situations I have been in. I thank the Lord for Dottie’s ministry here on earth. I know that even now she’s in Heaven teaching the angels a new song for that Homecoming Day when we all shall be together forever!!!!!! Jesus you picked a beautiful flower!!!!!!! Thank you Lord for sharing Dottie with us!!!!!!! Jon n Atlanta
Ive sang a lot of your songs over the years. Thank you for the beautiful music Dottie.
I was crushed Sunday morning when I heard the tragic news. However, I know Dottie is rejoicing today. She has won the battle; never to suffer, worry, or cry again. I feel that this world is much dimmer without her in it and that saddens me. The Lord said it was time for her to come home. We’ve lost an annointed, kind, gentle, and loving lady. I will miss you Miss Dottie. I love you and can’t wait until we meet again…..
My heart breaks with sadness yet rejoices knowing that Dottie is home with our Lord and Savior.
Our world will forever remain touched by the talent of Dottie. Her music has been a source of inspiriation, and a touch stone for those of us in the music industry. My prayers are with Dottie’s family , may you have the strength to stand firm in your faith, the courage to close your eyes and allow yourself to re-visit the Great memories you have shared and the joy of knowing Dottie is dancing in the arms of her father, friend and creator at this very moment.
Dottie and her family has been my inspiration since i was a teenager. I got to meet her and Reba at TBN some years back in Henderson Tn.
All i could do was stare and cry! what a blessing she has been! welcome home sister Dottie, welcome home!!
Anthony Prince
I’m reminded back to when I was a little girl in a small country church in Nicholls,
Ga.I finally got brave enough to sing , I’ll never forget as long as I live,” I’m Sheltered In The Arms Of God.” And surely now I’m 42 yrs.old and I’ve truly been in God’s Arms.And I’m sure that Mrs.Dottie is now celebrating and resting in God’s arms,No more sickness,nor pain,and no more parting of Loved ones.What a Day That Will Be………She might be gone but she’ll never be forgotten.Her songs will live on in churches,Hearts,and minds….To her Family,It’s hard now “but JOY comes in the morning.”Love and Prayer’s to you…Youth Pastor—New Life C.W.C.Douglas,ga
I WAS STUNNED TO HEAR OF DOTTIES DEATH. MY HUSBAND EARL AND I JUST SAW DOTTIE LATE LAST YEAR AT A LITTLE CHURCH IN PORTSMOUTH VA. YOU WILL BE MISSED. WE ARE PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY
My husband and I have just moved from Tennessee to Georgia and got our computer up and running. I had saved this website as a favorite and just happened to click it checking out things. I know people from our previous church that really loved Dottie, her Christian influence on the world through music, and some at our church sang her songs. My husband was doesn’t know this sad news or he would have mentioned it to me as he was our choir director at our previous church. I was raised as a Methodist where many don’t listen to “gospel” music. I attended my husband’s Baptist church after we married and then became familiar which gospel music and the many artists and God given talents. My heart reaches out to her family and the many people that loved and enjoyed her as a relative, friend, and songwriter. Many Blessings to All–