Tribute to a Legend: Dolly Parton Mourns the Loss of Dearest Friend Jeannie Seely
SHOCKING SILENCE: Country Music Icon Jeannie Seely Dies at 85 After Battle with Intestinal Infection
In a devastating blow to the country music community, Jeannie Seely, the sultry-voiced songstress behind the hit single "Don't Touch Me," has passed away at the ripe age of 85. The news comes just weeks after the loss of her husband Eugene Ward to cancer in December.
According to sources close to the family, Seely died on Friday at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection. This latest health setback was a cruel twist of fate for the legendary singer, who had been struggling with various ailments since last year.
As her friends and fans mourn her loss, one person who will undoubtedly miss Jeannie dearly is country music icon Dolly Parton. The two were close confidantes, having met in the early days of Nashville's music scene. In a heartfelt tribute to Seely on Instagram, Parton reminisced about their many happy memories together.
"I've known Jeannie since we were both young bucks in Nashville," Parton wrote. "She was one of my dearest friends – a talented singer with a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold. We shared our fair share of laughs, tears, and inside jokes over the years, and I'll always cherish those moments."
But behind Seely's glamorous persona lay a complex and often tumultuous life. Married to the legendary songwriter Hank Cochran in 1969 (who penned some of her biggest hits, including "Don't Touch Me"), their marriage was marked by periods of intense romance, followed by eventual separation in the 1970s.
Cochran, who passed away from cancer in 2010 at age 84, was not just Seely's husband but also one of Nashville's most respected songwriters. His association with Seely led to some of her biggest hits, including "A Wanderin' Man" (1967) and "I'll Love You More (Than You'll Need)" (1968). The couple's divorce in 1979 marked the end of a chapter in Seely's life.
But the singer refused to let her health woes – or personal struggles – define her. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries on her back, including two emergency abdominal procedures and a bout with pneumonia during an 11-day stay in intensive care, Seely remained defiantly optimistic.
In May, she posted on social media about her grueling rehab experience: "Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter... And last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It was neon, so I knew it was mine!"
It's clear that Jeannie Seely lived life to the fullest – even in the face of adversity. As we bid farewell to this country music icon, her legacy will live on through her timeless songs and the countless lives she touched along the way.
Sources:
- TheScholarlyNote.com
- Summit Medical Center
