Dolly Parton Shares Sweet Message During Jeannie Seely’s Memorial Service At The Opry
Jeannie Seely was remembered during a memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry on August 14. Dolly Parton sent in a video message that played during the service. (Photo Credits: Reba McEntire / Facebook & Grand Ole Opry via Vimeo)
Grand Ole Opry Icon Jeannie Seely Honored During Star-Studded Memorial Service
Dolly Parton was among the many artists who paid their respects to Jeannie Seely during her memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Seely passed away on August 1 at the age of 85. Her publicist, Don Murray Grubbs, said Seely died at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection.
Seely died eight months after her husband, Gene Ward, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 92.
As a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry (inducted in 1967), Seely served as a role model and mentor to other artists who graced the famous stage. No one ever doubted how much the Opry meant to Seely.
Seely will likely forever hold the record for the most Opry shows ever performed, totaling 5,397. After she passed away, it was announced that her memorial service would be held at the Opry, who called it her 5,398th show.
Dolly Parton Calls Jeannie Seely “One Of The Most Beautiful People” She’s Ever Known
Jeannie Seely’s service occurred on Thursday (August 14). Seely’s famous friends honored her through speeches, stories, and songs showcasing her tenacity, sense of humor, and love of songwriting.
Darryl Worley sang his emotional hit from 2002, “I Miss My Friend.” Larry Gatlin performed “Help Me,” a song he wrote that Elvis Presley released in 1975, which was a “favorite” of Seely’s. The War and Treaty delivered a powerful performance of “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is,” which Seely co-wrote.
The service ended with a group performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” with Seely’s dear friend Bill Anderson taking the lead.
Another one of Seely’s friends, Dolly Parton, participated in the service. Since Parton couldn’t be there in person, she sent in sweet video message that the Opry played between performances.
Parton shared how much she adored Seely. She said:
“I know we’re all here today, to think about, and talk about, Jeannie Seely, ’cause we all loved her. She was one of the great[est] artists that we’ve ever had in Nashville. And when her hit song ‘Don’t Touch Me If You Don’t Love Me’ came out, I thought that was one of the greatest things I’d ever heard. I thought right then, that is one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. And I got to know Jeannie, and she’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever known too.“
Parton continued, speaking about Seely’s signature sense of humor.
“She was so funny. She was crazy as she could be. But I liked that, ’cause I’m kind of crazy in my own way. But everybody knew how funny she was and what a great sense of humor she had. And we all knew what a great talent she was. She’s gonna be missed, and we’re all gonna love her, forever.”
Watch the livestream of Jeannie Seely’s memorial service here to hear Dolly Parton’s message. She starts speaking around 1 hour and 25 minutes into the video.
Look below to read the statement Parton shared on social media shortly after learning about Seely’s death. She’s so dearly missed…
