The circle has come full turn. For the 5,398th and final time, Jeannie Seely will grace the Grand Ole Opry stage — not as the star of another unforgettable Saturday night show, but as the honored soul of her own farewell.
Known as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely’s life and legacy will be celebrated in a public funeral and memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. The stage where her voice became part of the foundation of country music will serve as the setting for her final bow.
Funeral and Memorial Service Details
- Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM CT
- Location: Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN
- Event Title: “Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show”
The service is open to the public, giving fans the chance to gather, mourn, and honor the woman who appeared on the Opry stage more than any other performer in history.
How to Watch and Listen
For those unable to attend in person, the celebration of Seely’s life will be shared with fans worldwide:
- Radio Broadcast: 650 AM WSM
- Online Stream: Grand Ole Opry official website
This ensures that her memorial will echo far beyond Nashville, reaching homes and hearts across the globe.
Honoring Jeannie’s Legacy
In lieu of flowers, Seely’s family has requested donations to two causes she deeply cherished:
- The Opry Trust Fund, which provides financial help to country musicians during times of hardship.
- Animal Welfare Organizations, reflecting Seely’s lifelong compassion for animals.
These acts of giving mirror the generosity that defined her career and character.
A Life of Music and Milestones
Jeannie Seely burst onto the national stage in 1966 with her Grammy-winning hit “Don’t Touch Me.” The song not only reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart but also earned her the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
She went on to deliver a string of enduring classics, including:
- “It’s Only Love”
- “A Wanderin’ Man”
- “I’ll Love You More (Than You Need)”
- “Can I Sleep in Your Arms”
Beyond the recording studio, Seely thrived as a multi-faceted entertainer. She appeared in films like Willie Nelson’s Honeysuckle Rose and Changing Hearts and showcased her stage presence in beloved productions such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Always Patsy Cline.
Her wit, grit, and warmth made her not only a staple of the Grand Ole Opry but also a symbol of country music’s enduring heart.
Her Final Days
Seely passed away on August 1, 2025, at the age of 85 due to complications from a severe intestinal infection after nearly a year of declining health. Her death came just months after the loss of her beloved husband, Gene Ward, in December 2024 — a heartbreak that weighed heavily on her in her final days.
Though her voice has quieted, it will forever echo in the rafters of the Opry she called home.
A Farewell That Feels Like Forever
“Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show” will not be a setlist of songs but of love, gratitude, and remembrance. The woman who defined resilience, soul, and class in country music leaves behind a legacy that will live on in every artist who steps on that hallowed stage after her.
For fans, her farewell is not just a goodbye — it’s a reminder of why the Grand Ole Opry is more than a place. It’s a family. And thanks to Jeannie Seely, it will always carry her voice.
