Lulu Roman, best known for her comedic talent and singing on the long-running TV series "Hee Haw," passed away on Wednesday at the age of 78. Her journey was marked by early adversity, struggles with addiction and weight, and ultimately, a powerful transformation through faith and music.
Early Life and the Road to "Hee Haw"
Born Bertha Louise Hable in Dallas, Texas, on May 6, 1946, Lulu Roman's early life was challenging. She was placed in a home for unwed mothers and then left at an orphanage at the age of four. Roman vividly remembered being dropped off by her grandmother on Sept. 10, 1950. Her weight issues, stemming from a thyroid problem, began in childhood, making her a target for teasing. "I think I probably felt it a little harder than most of them because I was 'the fat kid.' I came in with a thyroid problem,” she said. "I got things like, ‘Fatty, fatty, 2 x 4, can’t get through the kitchen door.’" She later reflected that "I think my food became my drug probably the day that they put me in the orphans’ home."
Roman graduated from W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas in 1964 and initially worked as a telephone operator and go-go dancer. Despite the hardships, she developed a quick wit and a sense of humor, which she used as a defense mechanism. "I learned very early on that I could use a quick wit that the Lord had given me to have people laugh with me instead of at me.”
In 1969, "Hee Haw," a rural-themed sketch-comedy and country music show, was looking for a plus-sized actress with comedic skills. Country legend Buck Owens recommended Roman for the role. As Roman recalled, "When they put together the ‘Hee Haw’ show, there were a couple of fellows from Canada that had seen ‘Laugh-In’ and thought, ‘This could be a good thing. We could do country music in this and do real well.’ So they made a list: one gorgeous blonde and one gorgeous brunette; one girl-next-door type and one boy-next-door type; one fat, dumb man and one fat, dumb woman. Buck said, ‘I got your girl.’"
"Hee Haw" Fame and Personal Struggles
Roman's comedic talent quickly made her a fan favorite on "Hee Haw." She regularly appeared in the “Cornfield” and the “Haystack” sketches with Junior Samples, as well as the “Culhanes” and “Truck Stop” skits. Misty Rowe, a "Hee Haw" stalwart, remembered, “Working together since 1972 we were the original Hee Haw Honeys and the original Kornfield Friends. Yet we would often squabble and then make up by saying ‘I love you Lu’ and she would say ‘I love you too Sugar.’ Lulu was a gift in my life.”
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However, behind the scenes, Roman struggled with drug addiction. "I ended up getting busted not once, but twice, for possession of dangerous drugs. It ended up costing me losing my position on the ‘Hee Haw’ show for a whole year." Roman admitted she was “so messed up on drugs… most of the time” while doing the show.
Finding Faith and a New Direction
After her second incarceration, Roman attended the Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Oak Cliff, Texas, where she found help from the church’s pastor and became a devout Christian. "When I got down on my knees and gave my life to the Lord, in that place, I mean, instantly He took those drugs away from me.”
Her faith led to a return to "Hee Haw," where she was given the opportunity to sing Christian songs. Roman also launched a career as a Christian and Gospel singer, recording and releasing numerous albums. In 1999, she was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Weight Loss Journey and Health Challenges
In the early 2000s, Roman faced significant health challenges due to her weight, which had reached nearly 400 pounds. "It was hard for me to try to lose weight. I tried everything that there was and I couldn’t. I was about 380 some-odd pounds. I was in a scooter. I could not walk. My legs were in trouble. My back was in trouble. I came to the place that I was 60 some-odd years old, about 61, 62. I said Father, 'I can’t be an effective witness for you like this. I can’t travel. I can’t stand up. I can’t breathe.' And so I knew that I had to make a change."
In 2005, Roman opted for lap-band surgery. "I cheated, I did. Because I discovered that there was an option out there called the lap band surgery where they put a little band around the top of your tummy and it restricts your intake of food." She lost 200 pounds, dropping from a size 56/58 to a size 14/16. However, in 2009, complications from pre-existing periodontal disease forced her to have the band removed.
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Despite the setback, Roman maintained her weight loss through portion control, regular exercise, and her faith. "I was terrified. I was. But then I said, 'Father, I’m going to trust You that You’re going to allow me to maintain this.'" She was able to walk and run, and no longer needed medications for high blood pressure or asthma.
Forgiveness and Legacy
Roman also experienced emotional healing, learning to forgive her birth family for abandoning her. "That has been one of the biggest parts of my healing. It was a process. You have to choose to be a forgiver. You do. I had to first of all choose to forgive that family that threw me away. Then I had to choose to forgive myself for all the stupid choices that I made for my life because I thought nobody cared. When you choose to forgive, that person who so mortally wounded you no longer defines who you are. You can allow the blood of Jesus to define who you are. In that is freedom. That gives you the peace of mind that nothing can give you but the blood of Jesus."
Lulu Roman's life was a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of transformation. She used her experiences to share hope with others, performing gospel music and speaking about her journey. As she said, "I can stand and tell people there is hope if you put your trust in the Lord. You can do this. If you let Him, He will totally change everything about you. That’s what happened in my life."
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