Grand Ole Opry Says “Goodbye” To Jeannie Seely In Touching Tribute
Jeannie Seely, who died on August 1, holds the record for the most Opry shows ever performed. (Photo Credits: Jason Davis / Getty Images & Grand Ole Opry / Facebook)
Country Music Legend Jeannie Seely Died On Friday, August 1
The Grand Ole Opry family was heartbroken when news broke that Jeannie Seely passed away. The legendary country artist died on Friday, August 1, at the age of 85.
According to a statement from Seely’s publicist, Don Murray Grubbs, the “Don’t Touch Me” singer died at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection.
The statement shared that Seely underwent “multiple back surgeries this spring for vertebrae repairs” and also had “two emergency abdominal surgeries” in recent months. Fans had been worried about her health for some time prior to her death, as she stopped appearing at the Opry and took a break from hosting her Sundays with Seely show on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel.
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of CMA Awards nominee Jeannie Seely. A mainstay on the Grand Ole Opry Stage, Jeannie's legacy is cemented in Country Music history.
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) August 1, 2025
“When the CMA Board honored her with the Joe Talbot Award in 2023, it was for more than her music and… pic.twitter.com/GWfE2Vwcvj
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Seely shared a health update in May, saying things had been “pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter.” She was looking forward to getting better so she could return to the Opry and Sundays With Seely. She also had plans to start releasing some new music.
Seely passed away a little less than a year after losing her husband, Gene Ward. He died in December 2024 at the age of 92.
Jeannie Remembered By The Opry As “The Definition Of A Mentor And Dear Friend”
When many country fans think of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely’s name is one of the first to come to mind. She became a member of the Opry in September 1967, one year after she made her debut on the famous stage.
Seely remained a fixture of the Opry from that moment forward. More often than not, if you were catching a show at the Opry, you’d get to see Seely. She holds the record for the most Opry shows ever performed—a total of 5,397.
Despite this, Seely was not the oldest living member of the Opry. That distinction goes to Stu Phillips, who’s 92 years old.
87-year-old Bill Anderson holds the record as the longest-serving member of the Opry, having been inducted in July 1961. Naturally, Anderson and Seely were quite close, and he honored her with a tribute after she passed away.
The Opry also honored Jeannie Seely after her death. They shared a touching tribute to the singer on social media, recognizing her as a mentor and friend to other Opry members.
“It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to a true icon to us here [at] the Opry, Mrs. Jeannie Seely,” they wrote. “Jeannie is the definition of a mentor and dear friend to many in the country music community.“
The Opry shared how, in Seely’s 57 years of membership, she helped change the image of female country artists. She worked to support female singers’ roles in the music industry and was the first female host of an Opry segment.
The Opry ended their tribute to Seely by writing, “Your legacy will always live on here at the Opry House, ‘Miss Country Soul,’ We will miss you dearly.”
Grand Ole Opry Dedicates Show To “Miss Country Soul”
The night of Jeannie Seely’s passing (August 1), Connie Smith and John Conlee appeared onstage at the Opry to honor her. The Opry shared some pictures from their performance on social media the following morning.
“Jeannie’s spirit sure filled the Opry House last night…We miss you already!” the Opry wrote.
On Saturday (August 2), the Opry dedicated their entire show to Seely. News Channel 5 reports the show opened with a speech from Dan Rogers, the senior vice president and executive producer at the Opry.
“Hers is a record that will never be broken,” Rogers said about Seely’s 5,397 Opry shows. He added, “She didn’t just blaze a trail, she walked back and forth on it, keeping it clear, guiding generations to follow through it.”
Artists who honored Seely that evening included Maggie Baugh, Bill Anderson, and Riders in the Sky. News Channel 5 reports the evening ended with a standing ovation in Seely’s honor.
Revisit some of Seely’s Opry memories in the video below. May she rest in peace…
