Need addtional information, permission to use an article/picture, and/or advertise on boomerocity.com. He was a fan of TV evangelist Rex Humbard, but otherwise gospel music was his whole religious world. He was a graduate of Irwin County High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. 'I think he was a Christian, a believer. His vibrato would be a quarter-tone on either side of the note. He was born March 3, 1953, to Alma and Orba Sumner. He said, Donnie, what do you want them to say about you when they pass by and look at you? I said, Ed, I truly hope that somebody looks down at me and says, Golly! in the Valley." George Richey spoke of how J.D. He called Presley 'the greatest gospel singer who ever lived'. Ive got a brand new life. Entering "this and that" (with quotes) into the search form will return results containing the exact phrase "this and that". 615-512-7565 It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. Presley recorded three gospel albums. I got saved - came back home. During the last three years of Donnie's service with J. D. Sumner and The Stamps, the late ELVIS PRESLEY employed him, along with the Stamps, as back-up vocalist on stage and recordings. They often worked in Memphis where Sumner befriended the young Elvis Presley, sneaking him into the concerts when Elvis could not afford the 50 cents admission. His parents; brother, Donnie Sumner; and sisters, Reba Faye Sumner, Myrtle Tucker, Minnie New, and Mary Murphy precede him in death. One of the books I bought (but no longer have) was one written by the late televangelist, Rex Humbard. Ronald Dale Ronnie Sumner, 74, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his residence. For six years, he toured with and was a close personal friend of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts . He always stressed the positive side of Presley's personality and never admitted that Elvis took anything other than prescription drugs. If I can do it with a Scripture, Ill do it. I was in tears. Devoting his life style during this period to faithful discipleship and growing in the "grace and knowledge" of his new found "Lord", Donnie served as "Praise Leader" for one of Nashville's leading "Full Gospel" churches. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. 'He Touched Me' (1972) - a gospel standard of Bill Gaither - earned Presley his second Grammy for Best Inspirational Album. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. I just wanted to get out of the drugs and see if I could live. He called me two or three times, wanting me to come work on sessions with him. Ronald Dale "Ronnie" Sumner, 74, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his residence. Then Ive got one girl that has married Elvis after he died. on the Gaither Homecoming videos and thensang "The Star Spangled Banner" with his Gaither Vocal Band. In 1972 Donnie resigned from the Stamps Quartet and organized his own group, which was to become known as VOICE INC. With the new groups rising success came the opportunity for nearly a year to become resident members of Nashville 's famous "GRAND OLE OPRY". He can be seen on some of the Gather shows now. It was either die or start over and I chose to start over.. He was wearing his TCB ring and pendant which Elvis had given him. Then Donnie Sumner spoke beautifully abouthis uncle and about his own fight against drug abuse; I don't think therewas a dry eye in the house. Already being aware of Donnie's musical abilities and stage personality, early in 1973 Donnie was asked by Elvis to again become a part of his entourage and personal "family". Donnie Sumner | Christian Music Archive 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". It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. Jesus said, Lo, I am with you and thats where Im gonna stay!, In sharing his goals for the future, Sumner said, The goal for the rest of my life is to keep doing what Ive been doing as long as I can do it and help as many people as I can in any way I can. Willard "Bill" Jean Sumner Obituary - tributearchive.com Donnie Sumner will be in concert at First Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 4. He was a carpenter and worked in construction. Yet his backup groups throughout his career - The Jordanaires, The Imperials, The Stamps - were gospel groups, and after his concerts, Elvis frequently held impromptu gospel singing sessions that lasted into the early-morning hours. 'It's kind of a world of fantasy'. J.D'.s 'zoom bass' was always a favorite of Elvis, who loved southern gospel music. Having devoted over forty years of his own life to the world of music, Donnie has carried on the tradition of others in his family who have also made their mark in this industry. As can easily be imagined, the targeted niche for Sumners book is the very wide, diverse and, sometimes, strange demographic of Elvis fans as well as those who love southern Gospel music. Mr. Donnie Lee Culbreath of Cottontown, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, he was 64 years old. ", Hi ELVIS Friends, This is a great tribute to a great man wish I could have been there. Read More. Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016. Reality is home, church and friends'. Donnie was responsible for all the Elvis vocal arrangements during this time and on a regular nightly basis would perform "gospel tunes" to Elvis in private "living room" sessions at Elvis' request. Blountstown Obituaries | Local Obits for Blountstown, FL - Legacy.com They wouldve never had any financial problems. In the past, Donnie has also been known as Donnie H Sunmer, Donnie H Sumner, Don H Sumner, Donnie Summer and Donnie M Sumner. called me and said that Elvis died. My life was still messed up. The Stamps were EdEnoch, Ed Hill, and Rick Strickland (the youngest member of the group) andno one couldn't have noticed that they sang the old arrangements without abass singer. I tried to make car arrangements. I was at a church youth camp in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona. It wasn't "The Lighthouse" which the Stamps did in _Elvison Tour_; the title may have been "Ship Ahoy." Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Friday, September 17, 2021, at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. Presley continued to record gospel songs - more than 100 in all, by one account - and a live recording of 'How Great Thou Art' in 1974 earned him the Grammy for Best Inspirational Song. Search results can also be filtered using a variety of criteria. Donnie Sumner Story Obituary. three goals, startin at the bottom: To put down on a piece of paper as much of my story as I could to tell my grandkids. His father was a Pentecostal preacher, and his uncle, J.D. I didnt care. It aint gonna be perfect tomorrow but, with Jesus living in ya, it can get better and better and better. with deadpan seriousness that contained the urge to burst out laughing. Instead, you walk away from the King of Rock and Roll. . She married Donnie Sumner in 1979 and their marriage brought forth 5 children, Jason Dwayne in 1980, Travis Lee in 1981, Vanessa Leeann in 1983, Jeremy Wade in 1986, and Cody Allen in 1990. Kenneth Sumner Kenneth Ray Sumner, 72, passed away on August 23, 2022, at his home in . ), Donnie found time to write a book. 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.. His first church was in the little town of Bradley Junction, Florida. I talked to him twice about sessions. Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. 205 E Elm St, Olney, IL 62450. attleboro obituaries this past weekend; elder high school alumni directory; edgewood valley country club initiation fee; heartland mallory and jake wedding; Gallery By Industry. It was Humbards contention that southern gospel music had the same effect on Elvis. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. My only desire is to cause somebodys life to be better because I passed through it. He loved anything Roy Rogers. Since childhood his favorite form of entertainment has been "GOSPEL MUSIC" with styles ranging from "Foot-stompin' - hand-clappin' revival tunes" to what has become known in today's market as contemporary sacred music. For Engagements Contact: Donnie Sumner, "The Lighthouse" - video by Susan Quinn Sand 55,607 views Jun 8, 2016 Jeff Lewis and Friends Gospel Show at end of Tupelo Elvis Festival 2016, Sunday, 6-5-2016 465 Dislike Share. He passed away in November of 1998; just three days shy of his 74th birthday. With a closeness to this lineage of musical greatness, it was only natural that the younger Sumner would take an interest in the family business. He was born in Marshes Siding, Kentucky on May 22, 1947 the son of Jerome and Nellie (Bryant) Sumner. Obituary - Community Funeral Home Inc. of Beulaville NC Charlie (Hodge) would call from time to time to see how I was doing. At Elvis' request, they were flown to Vegas to sing backup on the Tom Jones show, and at the end of that engagement, Elvis signed the three voices: Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielsen and Tim Baty to be his personal gospel group, and he changed their name to 'Voice' (the name actually came from a religious periodical Elvis received). Theres a lot of ways to be a help to somebody and Ill proudly use all of them.. A NEW BEGINNING "The Lighthouse" Gospel Song by Donnie Sumner - Elvis' Gospel Band (The Stamps) High Quality 'I don't think anyone could judge him', Moscheo said. It was then that he decided to walk away from it all. John Daniel Sumner, nicknamed Jim Dandy or J.D., was born in Lakeland, Florida in 1924. On stage, Elvis would liken Sumner's voice to a B-52 bomber - and that was a compliment. Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. I dont do the little ones and I dont go overseas. The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Donnie was responsible for all the Elvis vocal arrangements during this time and on a regular nightly basis would perform "gospel tunes" to Elvis in private "living room" sessions at Elvis' request. He was raised the son of a minister and is no newcomer to the world of Christian music. You dont have to put on a football helmet and run at the gates of Heaven. Donald "Donnie" Sumner Obituary (1953 - 2020) The Donald SumnerDonald "Donnie" Sumner, of Adel, Ga., died March 25, 2020.He was born March 3, 1953, to Alma and Orba Sumner.He was a Glynn County firefighter and a painter.He is survived by his wife, Au Jesus is a new life, Jesus is an abundant life and Jesus is everlasting life'. I am now victorious in all things and they can be, too, just by deciding that they want to believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ. confirmed those visible answers to the point that, if it was not Elvis in that casket, it was the greatest make-up job and greatest wax dummy ever known ever in human existence.. Sumner, the deep voice who can be heard prominently on Elvis's posthumous chart-topper, "Way Down". His parents; brother, Donnie Sumner; and sisters, Reba Faye Sumner, Myrtle Tucker, Minnie New, and Mary Murphy precede him in death. Elvis Australia was founded in 1996 www.elvis.com.au was literally born from the concept of wanting to represent 'Elvis in Australia', so www.elvis.com.au Read more. You can hit the bottom in the presidency or you can hit the bottom on skid row. The doctor cut a big hole in one of Elvis' sheets, draped it over him with his head centered inside the hole andproceeded to remove small plugs of hair from the back side of Sherrill's head and then inserted the plugs into holes he had previously made in the top of Sherrill's scalp. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. Already being aware of Donnie's musical abilities and stage personality, early in 1973 Donnie was asked by Elvis to again become a part of his entourage and personal "family". I made up this crazy excuse that I just couldnt afford to come up there. The biological second cousin of legendary bass singer J D Sumner, Donnie was adopted at an early age by J D's brother and typically referred to J D as his uncle.Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice. Absolutely nobody can communicate the lyrics of a gospel song like Elvis', Sumner said from Nashville. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. The Minister of Youth came up to me at that point came to me after I had been there a while and said that he came to my service years ago with his girlfriend and was all strung out on drugs. Spirit Ministries / Att. wasimpressed by their arrangement of the song.) Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. J.D. . 83 Obituaries. 's funeral yesterday. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." After spending time in a couple of different groups, he finally got the call from Uncle J.D. People are very often touched by the stories of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of others whether high profile or not. In the audience I recognized JoeGuercio, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, country singer Charlie Walker, andformer Stamp Terry Blackwood. Recently, I became aware of a new book written by Donnie.