I'm not sure what causes people to dwell on things like this, but there is natural curiosity when it comes to death, particularly the deaths of those who are (were?) in the spotlight. As such, I usually receive three or four - or twenty - e-mails each week regarding the circumstances of the passing of a favorite Southern Gospel artist.

So I've rounded up all of those e-mails and developed a "Top 10" list from those inquiries. Presented in no certain order, here is the information so many of you have requested.

Roger Bennett (Legacy Five/Cathedrals)

March 10, 1959 - March 17, 2007 (age 48)

Cause of Death: Complications of Leukemia (Houston, Texas)

Glen Payne (Cathedrals/Weatherfords)

October 20, 1926 - October 16, 1999 (age 72)

Cause of Death: Complications of Liver Cancer (Franklin, Tennessee)

J.D. Sumner (J.D. Sumner & the Stamps/Blackwood Brothers)

November 19, 1924 - November 16, 1998 (age 73)

Cause of Death: Complications of Numerous Ailments, but it is generally believed that he suffered a fatal heart attack in his sleep (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)

Vestal Goodman (Happy Goodmans)

December 13, 1929 - December 27, 2003 (age 74)

Cause of Death: Complications of Influenza (Celebration, Florida)

Rex Nelon (Nelons/LeFevres)

January 19, 1932 - January 24, 2000 (age 68)

Cause of Death: Heart Attack (Europe)

James Blackwood (Blackwood Brothers)

August 4, 1919 - February 3, 2002 (age 82)

Cause of Death: Complications of a Stoke (Memphis, Tennessee)

Hovie Lister (Statesmen)

September 17, 1926 - December 28, 2001 (age 75)

Cause of Death: Cancer (Atlanta, Georgia)

Anthony Burger (Soloist/Kingsmen)

June 5, 1961 - February 22, 2006 (age 44)

Cause of Death: Heart Attack (Zuiderdam Cruise Ship in the Caribbean)

Brock Speer (Speer Family)

December 28, 1920 - March 29, 1999 (age 79)

Cause of Death: Complications of Alzheimer's disease (Nashville, Tennessee)

Jimmie Davis (soloist/Former Governor of Louisiana)

September 11, 1899 - November 5, 2000 (age 101)

Cause of Death: The consensus of opinion is that Davis simply died of old age. (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

George Younce (Cathedrals/Blue Ridge Quartet)

February 22, 1930 - April 11, 2005 (age 75)

Cause of Death: Complications of Heart Trouble and Kidney Failure (Akron, Ohio)

If you counted 11 names on this list, you're correct (there was a tie). I realize that I'm probably opening the proverbial can of worms by listing these folks as I'm sure there will be other names that readers will want information about. In the not-too-distant future, I'll do that.