Country Music Community Remembers Jeannie Seely

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Jeannie Seely on her last performance on the Opry stage Feb. 22, 2025. Photo: Chris Hollo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry

On Friday (Aug. 1), Jeannie Seely—a trailblazing artist who helped shape the Grand Ole Opry and country music at large—died at age 85 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Since the news of her passing, artists, industry members and fans alike have taken to social media to share memories and pay tribute to the late country music icon. Below are some of those messages. Click here to read Seely’s full obituary.

“Jeannie Seely and I were friends for over sixty years, and between the two of us we performed over 10,000 times on the Grand Ole Opry. She was one of the most talented, kind, witty, generous, loving people I have ever known. The Opry and the world won’t be nearly as much fun without her in it. May she rest in peace.” – Bill Anderson

“Jeannie Seely had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and truly loved. Her heart was as big as her voice and both were pure gold. I’ll carry that moment, and her friendship, with me forever. Rest in peace, sweet Jeannie. The Opry stage and this world will never be the same.” – Billy Ray Cyrus

“I am praying for Jeannie Seely. I believe that she’s joined Jesus Christ, Gene Ward, Nora Lee Allen, Joe Bonsall, Rusty Golden, and all of our dear loved ones we’ve lost. She made a lasting impact on not only Nashville but the world. Her contribution to country music and the Grand Ole Opry will never be forgotten. Most don’t know, but the last date I had with my beautiful wife was a double date with Jeannie Seely and Gene Ward. My heart is breaking right now.” – Duane Allen/The Oak Ridge Boys

 

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“So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Jeannie Seely. Jeannie was one of the greatest women of country music in an era when people began to discover that country was America’s music. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family.” – Lee Greenwood

“No one had a voice like Jeannie Seely and no one ever will. This is a sad time for country music. Prayers for her family.” – Ian Flanigan

“Jeannie Seely was one-of-a-kind across the board: as an entertainer, friend, and human being. It was an absolute honor for all of us at the Grand Ole Opry that she called this show home and that she thought of us as family. She gave it her all with every single Opry performance. All 5,397 of them. She is loved so much and will never be forgotten.” —Dan Rogers, Sr. Vice President, Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry and longtime friend of Jeannie Seely

 

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“While I’ve had the privilege of working with Jeannie Seely over the past 25 years, my immediate grief is deeply personal. Early in my tenure at CMA, I shared unforgettable lunches with Jeannie and Jo Walker Meador, full of stories that were occasionally irreverent but always fascinating. Jeannie was at the very first Fan Fair with Jack Greene and remained a beloved fixture for decades. She once told me a hilarious story about switching credentials with Dottie West just to keep people on their toes. When the CMA Board honored her with the Joe Talbot Award in 2023, it was for more than her music and fan relationships—it was for her spark. She mentored countless artists, especially women, and while they learned from her confidence and wit, she reminded us she was learning from them too. That humility was part of her magic.” — Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO

“We just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriter/entertainers of her generation. My beloved big sister, Jeannie Seely, has crossed over the river Jordan to be with Jesus. She will be in pain no longer. She was one of Sheila and my best friends and you could never hope to meet a better human being. She held the record for the all-time number of Grand Ole Opry appearances. She was a friend to everyone and had a razor sharp wit. The Opry won’t be the same without her. I’ll miss her terribly. No one will ever fill her shoes. Heaven is a better place with her there. Rest in peace sweet angel.” – T. Graham Brown

“My heart is broken. Broken! My friendship with Jeannie Seely started 49 years ago at the Opry, but more than a friend, Jeannie was my champion. When I left the Opry several years ago, we toured the country, where she made me her equal–trading stories and songs and entertaining the crowds together. She was the best entertainer I’ve ever had the honor to know. It doesn’t seem possible to know a world without Seely in it…and as good as the Opry show is, the Opry spotlight will never shine as brightly, without Jeannie in the center circle. Jeannie Seely was an old friend, and like the song says, “You Can’t Make Old Friends”…you earn them. I love you, Jeannie. I always will. Thank you for believing in me…and teaching me how to believe in myself.” – Tim Atwood (‘Atwood’ as Jeannie would call him)

 

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“Jeannie Seely was a Superstar. One of the great female voices in country music. She held the record for Grand Ole Opry performances, one that may never ever be broken. We’re all saddened by her passing and we will certainly miss her. She was a friend to so many and if you ever met her once she never forgot you. That’s rare these days in the fast-paced world we live in. But she wasn’t from this time, she was from the ‘Good Ole School’ days when people had to remember your name, before we could write it down on our iPhones. She was a great encourager. She always welcomed new visiting artists who were so nervous getting to play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. She could make those butterflies in your stomach stop flapping their wings and bring some peace instead of fear. Not many like her anymore. I don’t know if she will ever be replaced, but we as members of the Opry can take Jeannie’s lead and be an encouragement to these younger ones when we see an opportunity. They need it and we can do it! Thank you Jeannie for a lifetime of good works and great music. Love you.” – Ricky Skaggs

“Jeannie, her friends called her ‘Stick’,’ was Janis’ and my oldest friend still alive in Nashville. We met her our first night in Nashville in June of 71 when another late great singer-songwriter, Dottie West, took us to Jeannie and Hank Cochran’s boat. From that night ‘Stick’ was my friend, my champion and an inspiration to me. I miss her already, but I believe that she’s in heaven having a good old time with Dottie, Roger, Micky, Kris, Jack, Hank, Waylon and, as the saying goes, many others. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, the Bible says, ‘To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord. ‘Stick,’ I’ll see you when I do. Rest in Peace old friend. P.S. Janis and Steve and Rudy all say ditto and HALLELUJAH!” -Larry Gatlin / The Gatlin Brothers

“Jeannie was a very dear friend and a very special lady. She was the first one to ever introduce me on the Grand Ole Opry. She and I shared a lot of laughs and guitar town will never be the same without her. My heart hit the floor when I heard the news, and she will be missed. But, I don’t think she left anything on the table. I know where she is and we will laugh some more when I get there with her.” -Darryl Worley

Madison Hahnen
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