Dottie Rambo had written 2,500 songs

Written by Ed Allen | 21 June 2010

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It was a little more than two years ago when a famed gospel singer and song writer went to be with the Lord from an automobile accident that she was in while traveling in Missouri on May 11, 2008 – Mother’s Day.
Joyce Reba “Dottie” Rambo was 74 years old and died near Mount Vernon, MO when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment. Seven others on the bus were hospitalized in Springfield with moderate to severe injuries.
Dottie Rambo lived in Nashville at that time. I remember going to Rambo’s home in the early 1970s and while there I saw several old-time automobiles that Dottie and her husband, Buck, had collected. I went to their place to do a story and took pictures for the “Good News,” monthly newspaper that I edited for GMA for five years.
She had more than 2,500 published songs. She was a prolific writer and singer.
As a young girl, Dottie fell in love with county music while listening to the Grand Ole Opry in her Morganfield, KY home. She started writing songs at eight years and by 10 she was singing country songs at a local radio station.   
By age 12, she became a born-again Christian, a decision her dad abhorred.  He ended up kicking her out of the house, and Dottie started her Christian career. She met Buck Rambo at age 16 and they were soon married. They formed a gospel trio (Buck, Dottie and daughter, Reba) and launched a 50-plus year career singing gospel music.
Heartfelt sentiments and fond memories poured in from longtime friends and admirers all across the country.
“We have lost one of the truly great poets,” said Gloria Gaither. “But, her voice will only be amplified by her death. Songs by Dottie Rambo will more insistently than ever speak to the experienced of life bringing hope, counsel, encouragement and perspective.”
She was a prolific composer and some of her most popular songs included:
“We Shall Behold Him” recorded by the Bobby Jones Gospel Choir, Carol Channing, Sandi Patty, the Imperials and others. “I Go To The Rock” sung by Jesse Dixon, Larnell Harris and Truth; “Sheltered In The Arms Of God” recorded by Porter Wagoner, Larry Gatlin and others; “I Will Glory In The Cross” sung by Wanda Jackson.
“He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)” was sung by Andrae Crouch, The Oak Ridge Boys, CeCe Winans, David Phelps and Larnell Harris; “If That Isn’t Love” recorded by Bill and Glory Gaither and even Elvis Presley; “Mama’s Teaching Angels How To Sing” recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys and The Isaacs; and “We’ve Never Been That Sick Before” sung by Jessy Dixon and also by Jimmy Swaggart.
Other songs written by Dottie Rambo included: “Before You Die,” “Big, Big Man,” “Build My Mansion (Next Door To Jesus),” “Camp Goo-la-Mock-EE,” “Don’t Wish The Good Times Away,” “Foggin’ In My Noggin’,” “Ginny Is Afraid Of The Dark,” “Good Lord Walks With Me,”  “He Never Sends Me Where He’s Never Been,” “It’s Me Again Lord,” “Lord, Walk With Me,” “Marvelous Grace,” “Naaman,” “One More Valley,” “Papa” and “Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City.”
What a great gospel writer and singer was Dottie Rambo.