Jeannie Seely, Grammy-Winning Country Star, Passes Away at 85
Country music has lost a legend. Jeannie Seely, a famous country singer and longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, has passed away at the age of 85.
Seely died on August 1st, 2025 in Hermitage, Tennessee, from complications related to an intestinal infection. Her health had been declining since early this year, following multiple back and emergency stomach surgeries. She even spent 11 days in the ICU and battled pneumonia.
Born in 1940 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Jeannie grew up in the small town of Townville. She was the youngest of four children and started singing on local radio when she was just 11. Her love for country music began early — listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio with her family made her dream of performing there one day.
“At 8 years old, I knew I wanted to sing at the Opry,” she once said.
After finishing school, Jeannie moved to California in 1961. She worked at a bank and then at a music company before finally finding her path in country music. In 1966, her song “Don’t Touch Me” made her famous. Over the years, she released many hits like “Can I Sleep in Your Arms” and “Lucky Ladies”, and even wrote songs for stars like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams Jr.
Jeannie performed more than 5,300 times at the Grand Ole Opry, making her one of the most dedicated and loved performers in Opry history.
In 2023, she received the Joe Talbot Award for her contributions to country music. She wasn’t just a singer — she was a mentor, a friend, and a role model for many women in the industry.
Sadly, she lost her husband, Eugene Ward, to cancer just last December. Jeannie Seely didn’t have a public daughter, but she had a strong community of fans and fellow artists who considered her family.
To honor her, the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry show will be dedicated to her memory.
