Lily Fern Weatherford

Lily Fern Weatherford was born on November 25, 1928, in Bethany, Oklahoma to Alonzo Goble and Lillie Alice (Summers) Goble and entered Heaven’s pearly gates on June 26, 2025.

Lily was born to a strict Nazarene family. At the age of four Lily’s family moved to the California area so that her father could pursue his ministry. She began singing as a youth in church and also as a teenager with a local girls group.

In 1944, she met Earl Weatherford and they were married in 1945. She immediately joined his group, the Weatherfords. By the mid 50’s the group had established themselves as one of the premier gospel groups. From 1954 to 1964 Lily along with the Weatherfords were on the music ministry staff for the famous Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio. This was one of the first nationally televised churches, along with one of the largest radio stations WOWO.

The Weatherfords became the leaders in radio, TV, recordings and church ministry during this time. They sang most nights in churches across the United States and Canada spreading God’s word through song. Earl passed away in 1992 and in Lily’s words, “They made some beautiful music together”. Lily continued to carry on the respected Weatherford tradition with son, Steve, and Kenny Payne and the trio continued to travel for many more years as a trio. Steve continues on the Weatherford’s Singing Ministry.

Lily traveled the world music ministry. She had over 150 recordings including “Tell My Friends” and “What a Precious Friend Is He” which have remained her trademarks and most requested songs. She had often appeared on Bill Gaither videos. Bill referred to Lily as a “gentle spirit with a classy voice”. Bill continues to say, “She was one of the first female stylists in our field. She was so smooth she made the other song stylists sound regal! It was an incredible combination!”. Because of her legendary smooth and deep voice, she blended well with male quartet singers. She is often referred to as the Queen of Gospel Music.

Lily along with Earl were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, one of the highest honors in gospel music. She also received many other prestigious honors through the years such as “Female Entertainer of the Year” in 1993 and 1994, an award presented by the Great Plains Gospel Music Association.

Lily Fern loved her family and enjoyed spending precious time together like Christmas and Thanksgiving. She loved to cook and was inspired to compile the popular, Lily Fern Cookbook. Lily also enjoyed playing cards and board games. Lily was also an accomplished writer, “With All My Heart” a book about life in Gospel Music.

Upon her retirement Lily relocated to Paoli, Oklahoma. In 2013 Lily moved to a Tulsa nursing home. Living to the age of 96, Lily had a full life being a loving wife and mother and spreading God’s word through song.

Lily is survived by: daughter, Susan Marie Weatherford Cunningham and her husband, Tim of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; son: Steve Weatherford and his wife, Standalee of Paoli, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Megan Lee Cunningham of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Skylar Steven Weatherford of Paoli, Oklahoma; and the countless friends she made all over the country and Canada during her many years of singing the gospel.

Lily is preceded in death by: parents, Alonzo and Lillie Alice Goble; husband, Earl Weatherford; brother, Meekly Goble; and sister, Florence Squire.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Gospel Music Trust Fund, P O Box 932, Brentwood, TN 37024

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Winans Funeral Home Chapel in Maysville, Oklahoma with Bro. Terry Erwin officiating. Burial at Paoli Cemetery under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home in Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family on this website.