The hallowed halls of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, a stage that has witnessed countless nights of unbridled joy and foot-stomping music, is now shrouded in a heavy veil of sorrow. The country music world is bracing for a truly heartbreaking moment as it prepares to say a final, tearful goodbye to one of its most cherished legends, the incomparable “Miss Country Soul,” Jeannie Seely. In what is being called a gut-wrenching final curtain call, the icon will grace the Opry stage one last time, not for a performance, but for her own farewell.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the hearts of her fans and the music community. The public funeral and memorial service for the late star is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10 AM CT. In a tribute that is both poignant and profoundly sad, the event has been named “Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show,” a nod to the record-breaking number of times her voice echoed through this sacred space. For those who wish to pay their respects, the doors will be open, a final invitation from the woman who considered the Opry her home and its audience her family.
The loss comes after a period of immense personal tragedy for the 85-year-old star. Seely passed away on August 1, 2025, from complications following a severe intestinal infection, after nearly a year of declining health. Friends close to the singer reveal a deeper, more devastating blow that preceded her physical ailment. Her passing came just months after the profound loss of her beloved husband, Gene Ward, in December 2024.
“A part of her soul left with him,” a longtime friend and fellow musician shared, their voice cracking with emotion. “She was a force of nature, a true firecracker, but the heartbreak of losing Gene… it took a toll that none of us could mend. She gave her entire life to that stage, but her heart was always with him. For her final show to be here, it’s only fitting, but Lord, it’s a pain that cuts deep for all of us who loved her.”
Jeannie Seely’s career was nothing short of legendary. She burst onto the national scene in 1966 with her timeless, Grammy-winning hit “Don’t Touch Me,” a song that solidified her place in country music history. Her powerful voice delivered a string of other unforgettable hits, but she was more than a singer. She was a versatile entertainer, gracing both the silver screen and the theatrical stage.
For the millions of fans who cannot make the somber journey to Nashville, the service will be broadcast live, allowing the world to mourn together. It will be available on the radio at 650 AM WSM and streamed on the Grand Ole Opry’s official website. In a final act of selflessness, her family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to causes that were dear to her generous heart: The Opry Trust Fund, which supports members of the country music family in times of need, and local Animal Welfare Organizations, a testament to her profound love for animals.
