Jeannie Seely’s Celebration Of Life Announced
A Celebration of Life for Jeannie Seely is planned at the Grand Ole Opry (Photo Credit: Jason Davis/Getty Images)
Celebration Of Life Planned For Country Legend Jeannie Seely
Don Murray Gibbs, longtime publicist and friend of Jeannie Seely, announced the plans to celebrate the singer’s life.
On August 14, a public memorial service will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House and is titled “Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show.” Becuase she has performed on the iconic stage a record 5,397 times, more than any other performer in history, it makes perfect sense that her celebration of life be held on that stage she loved so much.
The Grand Ole Opry shared an emotional tribute to Seely following her passing.
“Jeannie is the definition of a mentor and dear friend to many in the country music community,” they wrote. “She first appeared at the Opry in 1966 and while it was her first time being shoulder to shoulder with some of her heroes, she officially joined our family the next year in 1967 and has stood on that stage ever since with a special grace, sass, style, and of course – her wit and humor to top it all off.”
The statement continued, “In her 57 years as an Opry member, she is recognized for changing the image of female country performers with her bold fashion statements, championed efforts to support and enhance women’s roles in the music industry and was quite proud to be the first female to host a segment of the Opry.”
See the full post below.
The service, which will begin at 10 AM local time, will be broadcast live on 650 AM WSM and will live streamed here.
We’re sure there will be plenty of tributes from her colleagues and loved ones.
Watch some of her entrances throughout the years below.
The Grand Ole Opry Legend Passed Away On Friday, August 2
Don Murray Grubbs, Jeannie Seely’s publicist, told The Tennessean on Friday (Aug 2) that the country legend had passed away earlier that day at the age of 85.
Seely passed away at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, from complications from an intestinal infection.
According to a statement, Seely had “multiple back surgeries this spring for vertebrae repairs” and “two emergency abdominal surgeries.”
When she passed away, she had already spent “11 days in the intensive care unit and [suffered] a bout with pneumonia.”
Seely became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1967, and over the years has performed there 5,397 times, which is a record. Although she never had a #1 song on the charts, Seely is considered a legend and is even nicknamed “Miss Country Soul.”
Her most notable song was “Don’t Touch Me,” which was released in 1966 and peaked at No. 2 on the country chart.
