George and Nancy Jones and more than 1,000 people bid farewell to Gospel music singer Vestal Goodman, recalling her joyful, loving and optimistic spirit in a music-filled service.

Goodman, known as “the Queen of Gospel Music,” died Saturday in Celebration, Fla., of complications from the flu. She was 74.

Follow up:

As the service Thursday at Christ Church began, Goodman’s casket, covered in pink roses, was wheeled into the large sanctuary as a tape of her steel guitar-saturated duet with George Jones, “Mansion Over the Hilltop,” played on the public address system.

Jones, a close friend, was in attendance, as were Vince Gill and numerous Christian music figures including Dottie Rambo and Michael W. Smith.

President Bush sent a message of “heartfelt sympathy,” and a letter from Gov. Phil Bredesen cited Goodman’s “remarkable life of musical ministry.”