Those of us who have spent a large part of our lives in Southern Gospel music find that our circle of friends includes more than just those people you see on stage. Just as much as a singer has become a close friend, often times their spouse is equally as close.
Sometimes when the performing member of that duo passes away, the widow tends to fade from the spotlight. Sadly enough, that happens too often, though no one truly intends for such.
Today, I was looking back through some old photos, searching for one for an upcoming "Where Are They Now" article in Singing News. I ran across several of Glen and Van Payne and started thinking about what a great partnership they had during their married lives. And then, tonight, after dinner, my son asked, "What is Van up to these days?"
Van is not the only Southern Gospel wife who has experienced the loss of her husband. Just think how that list has grown over the past few years: Melba Bagwell, Judy Nelon, Faye Speer, Clara Younce, Mrs. Eldridge (her first name escapes me at the moment) Fox, Polly Varner, Amy Jo Riley, LuAnn Burger, Shannon Parker and most recently, Hazel Whitfield. There are dozens more, but these are the ones who came to my mind first.
Just because their spouse is no longer here, these ladies' lives have not stopped. They must keep walking the same road their husbands walked. Some work hard at keeping their husbands' memories at the forefront of peoples' minds; some prefer to live quietly, reflecting and relishing in the days that have gone by.
These ladies I just named (as well as many others) are just as important to our world as they were when they were in the shadow of their husbands. Let's endeavor to never forget them and the contributions they made as they kept the homefronts countless days and nights while their husbands were on stage, performing in front of us.
Ladies, we love and appreciate you. You're not forgotten.
