I first met Gloria in a small church in Southern California. I was on tour with my college choir. She bounced in radiating energy and good will. And took the time to talk to some of us personally.
When I think of Gloria Roe, I think of So Great Salvation. It’s a wonderful song, and she’s a delightful person. Gloria is a talented musician and songwriter. She started playing the piano when very young and is still at it.
PS.
Gloria Ann Kliewer Roe proceeded us into heaven on January 20, 2017. Her songs and example live on. She was best known as a pianist (debuting at Carnegie Hall at age 11) and as singer-songwriter. The one I remember most was So Great Salvation. And for her kindness to me in a little church in S. Cal.
She is buried in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For more: Gloria Roe
For those who asked, here are the lyrics to So Great Salvation:
So great salvation has won my heart.
From the Creator it had its start.
As He made man to live a life complete,
He then the choice did give His will for me.
Since that sad moment when man did fail,
God in His mercy still doth prevail.
For our redemption a plan He gave.
So great salvation our souls to save.
So great salvation has changed my heart.
My life ambition He did impart
A new desire to live, His will not mine.
His righteousness He gives, He is divine.
Now all around I see sin’s poverty.
God is His goodness can set us free.
For our redemption a plan He gave.
So great salvation our souls to save.
And here is Ed Lyman’s rendition of the song (Paul Micekson’s arrangement): https://youtu.be/1xOcPB96fTM
Many years ago (and I do mean MANY), I belonged to a gospel choral group called the Teen Ambassadors that began from Indiana Friends Yearly Meeting. One of our earlier songs was “So Great Salvation” and it was one of my favorites. Now all these years later, we “TAs” have our own Facebook page. Some of us were discussing this wonderful song and (not surprisingly) none of us are able to remember all the words..only bits and pieces. Is there anywhere on the internet I can go to locate the lyrics to So Great Salvation? It would certainly be appreciated. Thank you.
Dear Rick C. Moore, Gloria Roe is living in NW Arkansas near her daughter. When I visited her last week, she gave me a copy of “So Great Salvation” to pass on to you. If you get this message, please email me and I will send them to you. It was a great blessing to Gloria to know that the song had meant so much to you! July 14, 2013 Ginger Cotton
In the early sixties you came to Portland rather unexpectedly and held an impromptu performance for the leaders and some of the youth of YFC; about 100 crammed into a small room ( most sitting on the floor) with you and a grand piano.
I woke one morning forty years later and remembered one of the songs that you had played. I think it was “I want to thank you Lord”, or “I Just want to thank You Lord”. I have not heard it since that performance but it came to mind after all these years. I would like to find the music but it is not in any of the books we have. I play it from memory but not sure how accurate I am. Could you direct me to it?
I grew up learning how to play Gloria’s music from my Mom’s song books. I am searching for them. Mom’s music disappeared when my step-dad remarried. I love your arrangements, especially the one about the blind man sitting alone, Then Jesus Came”…. So lovely and a delight to play!
Hello Gloria,
I met you in 1971, when you were playing for Anita at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. You took time to speak with me and I’ve always remembered that. I have some of your recordings and still enjoy listening to them after converting them to CD. You have a God-given gift of words. Can’t make my mind up which song is my favorite, Abiding Love, Safe in His Hands or So Great Salvation.
Several years ago I attended a music conference at Winona Lake, Indiana. Gloria was one of the main leaders and I enjoyed her so much. I purchased several of her music books etc.
One of my favorite songs is: Riches which she wrote the arrangement for. Virgil Brock wrote the lyrics.
My mother is 98 years old and has requested that my sisters and I sing that song at her funeral. I do have a copy of it written for S.A.T.B which we can adapt and use. However, I know she made numerous arrangements of other songs for trios (since I bought several). So I was wondering if she has an arrangement for a trio.
So nice to hear about Gloria again since she is one of my favorite artists. I was excited that there was a way to contact her.
May God richly bless her.
Thanks and sincerely,
Joanne Alexander
Flat Rock, In
I have a couple books of piano arrangements by Gloria Roe. I love the arrangement which combines “Does It Make Any Difference To You” with “Just As I Am.” I’m in my 60’s and disabled due to a head injury. In my teens and 20’s I sang in church a lot and one of my favorites was “Does It Make Any Difference To You.” Unfortunately due to my brain injury my memory often fails me and I’m really interested in having the lyrics to that song. The music I have; but my “brain” has decided to keep the lyrics from me!! LOL! Any ideas on how I could get the lyrics? I’ve searched the internet but to no avail. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I’ve played it on the piano so much that Brie, my service dog, comes immediately when she hears me start playing it and lies down near the pedals. I believe she loves the song as much as I. Would love to have the lyrics.
Dearest Gloria: It’s been so many years since being in touch. Perhaps you heard that Adrian passed away 9 years ago. I recently bought an old record player and got out some old records. I’m playing one your records right now–“I’ll Never Walk Alone.” It brings back wonderful memories.
I hope that you are well! I will never forget you. A record of yours was the first record I ever owned. I sing contralto also and I always said that “You taught me to sing. I loved to sing along with you. I remember all the great times when you cameo Merritt Island and then to Bellevue. Much, much love, Joyce (Mrs. Adrian) Rogers
Ted and Gloria Roe ministered at a Revival in April 1961 at Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA. I was 15 years old at the time. A dear friend invited me to attend and for the first time in my life, I realized how much God loved me. I went forward that evening and a dear lady named Grace Hickey, led me to Jesus as my Savior. I just want to say thank you to Gloria and Ted (if he is still alive) and let them know I am still Loving Jesus and serving Him. Blessings to you both. Will see you in Heaven one day soon. Love n hugs. Prov. 3:5-6
I am also looking for the lyrics to So Great Salvation, or a music book that includes the song. I woke up this morning with the words and tune in my head, and I am wondering if there is more than one verse.
Any help would be appreciated. God bless!
Cheryl Wildrick
8354 Jackson Hill
Cuba, NY 14727
For Marla Johnson; I went through my old sheet music and came up with the lyrics to ‘Does it Make Any Difference”
Does it make any difference to you?
Does it make any difference to you?
If a soul dies in sin God has told you to win
Does it make any difference to you?
Will His blood be required at thy hand?
Do you warn the Lost, as God planned?
Do you make plain the way —
Do you work while it’s Day —
Is the Lord working daily, through you?
When we meet on that beautiful shore
And the trials of life are all o’er
Will you find there a soul that the Savior made whole?
Will it make any difference to you?
Will His blood be required at thy hand?
Do you warn the Lost, as God Planned?
Won’t you make plain the Way —
Won’t you work while it’s Day?
Does is make any difference to you?
Keep playing!
Dear Gloria,
I miss you… Love Lydia… Please contact me!!…drlydiaw@yahoo.com
Dear Gloria, Such a short time getting to know you and then you moved. I’m so happy for you and trust you are happy and settled by now. I too have moved and still miss your beautiful piano playing. Thank you for it and your friendship, love and prayers, Lynne
Hi everyone! Writing to you on March 6, 2015
Sitting here with my daughter Rachel in Bentonville Ar. I am so blessed by your words of love and encouragemnt! I am still leaving here in NWA near my daughter and family. Still playing ofcourse! It does my heart good to read these lovely notes. We had a big party for my 80th! I am doing well. Keep them coming ( typed by rachel
Around 1962 Ted and Gloria Roe held an evangelistic service at Tennessee Temple College. They both autographed my Bible after I made a new commitment to Christ. Gloria, you “coached” our Templeaires ensemble. In 1970 I made a 331/3 recording and sang duets and trios with myself and my favorite trio was “Unworthy”. For the longest time after that I thought you and Gloria Gaither were the same person, especially when I saw some music (don’t ask me what) showing a songwriter’s name of “Gloria Roe Gaither”. I think someone just plain goofed! A friend and I recently did hours and hours of searching to find out where you and Ted are. I think you divorced and he remarried? I have always kept you in the highest regard!
Thank you for fond memories!
Carlene
Gloria,
I heard you for the first time several years ago at a concert you and Rachel performed at Garfield First Baptist church. I am in awe of you and your daughter’s amazing talent. Just finished listening to Rachel’s Gospel cd. It brings me so much peace and puts me in a spirit of worship. So thankful that you have followed Christ and used this amazing gift to minister to others. God bless you and your family.
Angie -Pea Ridge, AR
Dear Ms. Roe, my mom got your album back in the 70’s. I spent my growing up years listening to “Does It Make Any Difference “. Now that I’m over 50, the words are more powerful than ever! Do you have a website for your music? May you be richly rewarded in Heaven, for blessing us here!
Gloria,
I first heard you play at a Winona Lake conference when I was probably 10 years of age. I now am 65 and continue to play your piano arrangements of cherished hymns. I later heard you at John Brown University (ARK) in 1970 while I was a student majoring in music performance. You influenced my life as a child and I am very thankful that my Mom took me to W. Lake so many years ago to hear Godly Bible teachers and Christ filled music. That kind of influence upon a child’s life is huge.
Dear Gloria: I am 62, a widower, and have been saved forty years. You were the very, very first female Gospel recording artist I ever heard when I first started listening to Christian radio as a troubled unsaved teenager back around 1970. Thank you for having had a little part in my salvation. God bless you and your family!
On our first anniversary I bought my wife a little record player and a couple long play albums, one of which was by Gloria Roe. So Great Salvation has been one of my favorite songs. After 46 years of marriage my dear wife died. She passed away right on our anniversary in 2006. That old record player has disappeared and I may have the record “somewhere” probably in a box. Just suddenly remembered it today – what a flood of memories has been rekindled. Thank you. Dave Clark
Dear Gloria. I was just listening to a commercial on CNN about some of their anchors telling stories of a person who changed their lives. I put on my thinking cap and had a hard time trying to think of someone who had done that for me. Then, a few days later, your name came into my mind and I knew I had to find a way to send you a note. In the summer of 1964, just after I graduated from high school here in St.Petersburg, Florida, my home life was disentigrating and I was signed up for “junior college” here locally and working for Publix at the time. I planned to major in pharmacy , to follow in my cousin’s footsteps. I had left home and was living in a motel room on the beach. For some reason the director of the local YFC, Jack Longley, got in touch with my mom and told her that a possible music scholarship was being offered to me by , you guessed it, Gloria Roe, to attend John Brown University. When I think about it now, I can truthfully say, that scholarship changed my life forever. I won’t go into a huge bunch of details, but even after I left JBU without a degree and went back to Univ. of South Fla., and then on to the Air Force Band from 1968-1972, my life was forever lead even through some dark times by the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus. Like so many back then, the temptation was to go into the world’s music to try to make a living, but fortunately, I was always drawn back to my LOrd’s church and His music. As far as financial success, it has been very bleak. i just turned 69 and don’t have a thing to show for it…not a dime. But when a person realizes his or hers calling and you love the Lord, you can’t help but follow that calling. So I want to thank you and wish God’s blessings on you for being the ONLY person that ever had that effect on changing my life forever. Would love to hear from you if you care to write. With respect…..Glenn
Gilead Baptist Church …late 50s…my father, Dr. Robert Parr
With the Lord now, also Theron passed away about 5 years ago.
Thurlow remarried. Norman passed 4 years ago. I live in Phoenix. Retired from
40 years of teaching school. Bachelor’s and Master’s
Degrees. I have 2 sons, both professional musicians
In church work. Stephen plays guitar in the Phoenix Praise
Symphony(102 players). Sean has his master’s degree in music (choral conducting).
Graduated from Azusa Pacific Univ..
I am 84 ,but many guess me in my 50s. God has
Been so good to me. You and Ted blessed our hearts when you came to Gilled.
Thank you for sharing your gift of music with us those many years ago,
Barbara Spurr
Dearest Gloria, we haven’t mailed in years, but I think of you often. I will be in Little Rock May 12-14. Is there any way to have a reunion after all of these years? I think of you so often and remember how exceedingly kind you were to me when you allowed me to practice the organ at the Warsaw Presbyterian Church. I love you dearly!
Best,
Jake
Ted and Gloria Rowe’s music ministered to my heart in the 60s as a young believer. I had followed Ted when he was with San Diego Youth For Christ and then was so blest by the music of Ted and Gloria. I appreciated them both so much. The years have rolled on by but the appreciation for what they did to glorify our Lord remains. How good is it going to be around the throne singing praises to our awesome God.
You will all be saddened to learn that our dear friend, Gloria Roe, passed away yesterday . Christian music will never be the same without her.
I know. She was such a sweetheart. But when I get to heaven, I plan on doing some duets with her.
I remember travelling with my high school a cappella choir and listening to the “So Great Salvation” song. Does anyone know where I can obtain the music/lyrics for this? The tune has been stuck in my head all morning! Thanks for your help!
As I sit here at my desk scanning my piano scores into my iPad and thinking about Gloria Roe who I never knew except through playing offertories through high school and college. Her talent and legacy lives on through this written music and I wish I could have met her. I’m so thankful for this blog and audio clip of her voice here as I couldn’t find anything on YouTube. What an amazing woman!