One of the last of the traveling tent preachers, David Terrell had a huge following – and a few secrets. Author Donna Johnson‘s new memoir Holy Ghost Girl captures her whirlwind childhood as the daughter of one of Terrell’s many mistresses. Johnson was still a toddler when her mother joined Terrell’s ministry as an organist. It was the 1960s, and Terrell would travel from town to town preaching, healing thousands and collecting millions in offerings. Johnson and her siblings, that is, a troupe of Terrell’s legitimate and illegitimate off-spring, witnessed the growth, greed, and eventual collapse of Terrell’s ministry.
The Austin-based Johnson will discuss and sign Holy Ghost Girl today at 7 p.m. Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive. For information, call 281-497-8675 or visit www.bluewillowbookshop.com. Free.
Thu., Nov. 3, 2011
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.