Dolly Pal Dottie Rambo Dies In Bus Accident
Southern Gospel legend and long time Dolly pal, Dottie Rambo, died in a tour bus accident early Sunday morning in southwest Missouri while on her way to perform a Mother’s Day concert in North Richland Hills, Texas. Also on board the bus were several of my dear friends: Dottie’s manager Larry Ferguson, his wife Judy, their children Christian and Pierce, Dottie’s webmaster and assistant Chris Barnes, and bus driver Ronnie Meadows. 
Dolly quickly released a statement in response to today’s tragedy: “I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed. Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner. Dottie, ’stand by the river’ and wait for me. I will always love you, Dolly.” Dolly went on to say “I also want to send my prayers and thoughts to her manager Larry Ferguson, the children, families and everyone involved in this terrible tragedy.” According to reports, Chris Barnes, Larry Ferguson and Ronnie Meadows have all been admitted to St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Missouri in serious condition while Larry’s wife and children sustained moderate injuries. No funeral arrangements for Dottie have been made yet as of this writing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dottie’s family and our friends who were involved in this tragedy.
![Dolly Parton: Dolly [Box Set]](/store/images/dolly_parton_box_set.jpg)
May 12th, 2008 at 1:03 am
I was deeply sadden to hear the tragic news of the passing of Dottie Rambo. I know she is safely “Sheltered In The Arms Of God.” My sincere condolences to Dolly on the loss of her dear friend.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Growing up as a preachers kid, I’ve heard many a person sing Ms. Dottie’s songs in churches throughout Southwest Louisiana. I can’t begin to say how deeply saddened I was at the news of her death. My prayers go out to her family members and friends, as she will be greatly missed!
May 12th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Thank You Dotty Rambo for being a part of my life!!!
Love You
Mary Ann Lively
May 12th, 2008 at 10:46 am
We are truly sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Dottie Rambo.
She was a great lady that I met many years ago – over the years I have thought about her, sang her songs, and prayed for her and her family.
Ms. Dottie was a true inspiration.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
How can a sadden and a glorious day be combined. Only our Lord allows such. Certainly for Dottie there will be not tears pass the gate. But today, we share tears of sorrow as a GREAT WARRIOR
has gone on to glory. Our earthly loss is Heaven’s gain.
karin
May 12th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
simply spoken earths loss is heavens gain. Dottie is singing around THE throne with God. She has touched a many a life. our thoughts and prayers fir her friends and family
May 13th, 2008 at 12:10 am
DOTTIE I MET YOU MANY TIMES WHAT A WONDERFUL LADY. YOU ARE WITH ALL THE HOMECOMMING FRIENDS NOW. WE LOVE LARRY YOUR MANAGER AND HIS FAMILY AND THEY WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS. GOD REST YOUR SOUL. RICK
May 13th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Oh what a loss. Her songs are so anointed of the Lord and they comforted me during “dark” days of my life. How sad I am today but how happy I am for Dottie as she is with the One she wrote about, sang about and loved.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Such a great loss, but Heavens gain is even greater. Dolly, our prayers are with you as well as the family. We love you both.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
It was sadding to hear of the passing of Dottie Rambo. I am sure she is at peace now. I know that much hasn’t been said of her passing in the news but her music will be missed. I hope that Reba and her family know we are all praying for her.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:36 am
yeah that happened I hurt my jaw and neck and arm and all my bopbops they got glass in them me and pierce went back were whachinh the best little chicken house in texas
May 15th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I was about 15 years old when I first heard of DOTTIE RAMBO. She and her family performed at an all night gospel sing about an hour from my hometown. It was in Waycross, GA. I was blown away by her voice and the talent she and her family had been given by God. Little did I know that she would go on to write some of the most touching songs I’ve ever heard. It seems only “fitting” that she and Dolly Parton would become friends. Both have written some amazing songs in their lifetime. It has been my priviledge to sing some of Dottie’s in church or at gospel sings. I’ve sang a lot of Dolly’s too! Dottie Rambo was a precious WOMAN OF GOD! I’ve heard her speak on christian television about trials she had been through in this life. SHE FACED THEM WITH COURAGE AND DETERMINATION! I WILL MISS YOU DOTTIE RAMBO – BUT WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY! UNTIL THEN – I KNOW YOU’RE SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD!!! My prayers are with her family and friends!
May 16th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I was first introduced to Dottie Rambo by my cousin Shirley Beecham back in the sixties. Shirley and Dottie had been friends since the days of the “Gospel Echo’s”. I myself had recently began playing and singing gospel music and Dottie’s songs began to take over in my life. I was 18 then and I am now 58 and through the years without a doubt I have and still do sing more of her songs than any other artist. Some of my fondest memories were being at the old “Ellis Auditorium” in Memphis where at one time Gov. Jimmie Davis had come to hear the Rambo’s and I was introduced to him. Another time Jerry Lee Lewis showed up and soon after recorded an album with some of Dottie’s songs on it. Still another time Elvis showed up there. I had and still have every album that the Rambo’s and her have put out, which I am converting to CD’s. You really never know the impact a person has on your life until they are not here any longer, so true is is in my lifetime with Dottie, “What a impact”. Thank you Dottie for your unwavering Christian Holy Spirit inspired life and works! You Are So very missed. Dottie, you now are certainly, “Sheltered Safe Within the Arms of God”!!!
Michael Horner
May 16th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I am shocked at this passing but the bible encourages us to see it as sleeping in the Lord. My encounters with Dottie have been in her songs. 2 of which I have personally recorded on my albums. “He looked beyond my fault” and “We shall behold Him”. They mean so much, and I know she is beholding His face now..Amen
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved friend. My deepest sympathy…