with deadpan seriousness that contained the urge to burst out laughing. I wish someone would have video or cassette taped it I'd lve a copy. His vibrato would be a quarter-tone on either side of the note. 73-year-old Sumner was found dead of a heart attack in his hotel room in Myrtle Beach, SC. Donnie Sumner, a multi-talented veteran of musical performance, weaves together a fast-paced, well-planned, themed format of Sacred and Gospel repertoire, utilizing standard, as well as, his own original compositions. I wouldve dug a ditch just to get straight and live. . He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynn Sumner of Ocilla; a son, Brian & Sandi Sumner of Ocilla; a daughter, Kerri Sumner Eckstrand of Ocilla; grandchildren: Brianne & Ellis Douglas, Logan Sumner, Kalynn Sumner, Amelia Eckstrand, Aiden Eckstrand, and Savana Douglas; a great-grandchild on the way; a brother, Roger & Wanda Sumner of Ocilla; great-nephews and a great-niece that he helped to raise: Kevin Rains, Eric Muse and Ariel Rains. Print Obituary. This site is sponsored as public resource by the independent funeral homes repesented here. Gospel music executive BobWhitaker and former Stamps pianist and current MCA Nashville presidentTony Brown said a few words. Select one or more of the available filters to get started. I tell you what: Ive been drug free for 35 years or more and I have been an ordained minister since 1979 and I still break out in a rash when I police car behind me on the road. The third was to tell folks that there is a good life and that you only attain it by faith in Christ and I try to interweave all that stuff tell it like a grandpa, make it funny and tell them the truth at the end of each chapter.. said that he would rent a limousine to bring me up there. Most of the acts were male quartets featuring four- part harmonies. http://www.donniesumner.com/about_donnie.asp. I asked him how the book writing process was for him and if there was going to be a follow-up to the book. He rarely went to church or read the Bible, according to one close associate, and his partying and overindulgence in food and drugs eventually led to his death at age 42. Donald SUMNER Obituary (1942 - 2022) - St. Petersburg, FL - Tampa Bay Times Stay up to date with Christian Music Archive via E-Mail! In 1963 James Blackwood purchased a gospel music publishing company from Frank Stamps. The album includes an instant classic, 'Peace in the Valley'. If we can inspire people to live better lives, we've performed a ministry.". Hes like everybody else in the world of entertainment every once in a while hed slip but just because you slip doesnt mean youre down. It was funny. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. called he called about one oclock in the afternoon on the day Elvis died I really didnt think that Elvis was dead. Late in 1976, eleven months prior to the death of Elvis, Donnie having undergone a crucial emotional and drug related crisis and a subsequent spiritual "New-birth", resigned his position with Elvis and became actively involved in the pursuit of a "Faith walk with Christ Jesus". He is included in The Guinness Book of Records as the world's lowest bass singer. The bottoms the same. Like those of you reading this article, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that Elvis had died. He said of that work, Aw, I stay in the studio from six-thirty or seven oclock in the mornin to about eight or nine at night, five days a week.. recitations, "The Farmer and the Lord," but gospel pianist Eva MaeLefevre got up and unfortunately spoke rather incoherently about her ownlife.
