LEBANON, TN – (December 20, 2021) – Deon Unthank, founder and CEO of AbsolutelyGospel.com, peacefully passed into the arms of his Savior on Friday, December 17, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Always a Southern Gospel singer and fan first, Deon founded AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com), with his deceased wife Susan in 1997. The site gained national prominence and became a leading voice in the industry in the early 2000s that has continued to this day. The site’s awards program, Absolutely Gospel Music Awards, became it’s calling card and legacy.
He also founded the Southern Gospel group The Sunday Edition in the 1970s and later reformed it in the mid-90s with his children reaching thousands with the Gospel message through live events, national radio airplay, and critically-acclaimed recordings. Deon was working on a solo-recording to be released in early 2022.
He is survived by his current wife Tammie (Gleaves) Unthank; children Aaron (Teri) Unthank, Leslie Unthank, Amy Marie (Mike) Zika, and Christopher (Noel) Unthank; step-children Olivia (Loren) Dougherty, Caleb (Cynthia) Midgett, and Hope (Brandon) Ivey; grandchildren Eli & Anna Cate Unthank; Donavan, Ashlee, & Emma Hill; Reilly, Hunter, Claress, & Layne Zika; Canaan, Asher, Noah, & Eleanor Unthank; Noah, Mary, & Moses Dougherty; Mallory & Aidan Grooms; Amelia & Mariah Midgett; and Benjamin Ivey; sisters Brenda (Harold) Downing and Cheryl (Gene) Gray, along with nieces and a nephew.
Deon is preceded in death by his previous wife Susan (Favre) Unthank, parents Bill & Evadean Unthank, step-son Scott Bandy, and niece Christy Gray.
A funeral for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Church of God Worship & Ministry Center (1007 Hartsville Pk., Lebanon, TN) at 2 PM. The family will be receiving friends and family from 12-2 PM.
In addition, a special Celebration of Life Concert in honor of Deon’s accomplishments in the field of Gospel music will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN on Tuesday evening, January 11, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Dr. Tim Hill and Bishop Johnny Minick will be speaking. Performing artists are still being confirmed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Sunday Edition, Inc. (dba AbsolutelyGospel.com) to help cover medical and funeral costs. You can donate here: http://absolutelygospel.com/donate/.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
Visit Today : 414
This Month : 11884