Vestal Freeman Goodman, born on December 13, 1929, in Fyffe, Alabama, was an
American singer known for her contributions to Southern gospel music. Raised in
the Church of God, she began singing in church as a child. Goodman married
Howard Goodman, a preacher, and they formed The Happy Goodman Family with his
brothers Sam and Rusty, becoming pioneering acts in Southern gospel music during
the 1960s. With Word Records, Vestal and the group were signed as flagship
artists. In 1969, she won the first ever Female Vocalist of the Year Dove Award.
Her solo career began with Hallelujah! ...