Carly Pearce is remembering a country legend, a mentor — and a personal friend — following the death of Grand Ole Opry icon Jeannie Seely.
Seely passed away on Friday (Aug. 1) at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn., due to complications from an intestinal infection. She was 85.
Pearce honored her friend with a deeply emotional post on Instagram, reflecting on the woman who helped shape her on and off the stage.
“When I was in my early 20s, Jeannie and I got to know each other because she lived down the street from me,” Pearce begins.
The “Every Little Thing” singer continues, “She quickly took me under her wing… Since then, she has become one of my biggest mentors and dearest friends.”
“She celebrated my successes, let me cry on her back porch in private, and helped welcome me into the Grand Ole Opry family,” Pearce says.
“I whispered in her ear this week that I promised to keep the sparkles in the circle and her legacy in lights — and I promise to do that,” she writes.
A Friendship Built on Respect — and a Little Wine
Pearce and Seely’s friendship began years ago, well before Pearce was a household name.
Seely first met Pearce when the younger singer was performing at Dollywood.
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Later, by a twist of fate, they became neighbors in Nashville, and a real friendship blossomed.
“We ride three-wheel bicycles through the neighborhood,” Seely told Taste of Country in 2019. “She and Michael Ray [Pearce’s ex-husband] and I have had a tendency to have a sip of wine — only to promote her record, of course.”
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Pearce’s love and gratitude shone through her tribute: “I can’t quite put into words what this woman means to me, the Opry & country music… but I know there will be a hole in my heart forever.”
Remembering Jeannie Seely
Known for her sharp wit, dazzling style and trailblazing presence, Seely was a beloved fixture at the Grand Ole Opry for more than five decades.
She goes down in history as the artist who performed on the hallowed Opry stage more than anyone else — over 5,300 times.
Her hits included “Don’t Touch Me,” “I’ll Love You More (Than You’ll Need),” and the 1969 duet “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You” with Jack Greene.
She was also a respected songwriter, penning tracks for Irma Thomas, Connie Smith, and Dottie West.
Seely joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and became a four-time CMA Award nominee.
In 2023, she received the Joe Talbot Award, which honors outstanding contributions to the preservation of country music’s values and traditions.
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A proud Pennsylvania native, Seely moved to Nashville in the ’60s and never looked back — helping redefine what it meant to be a woman in country music and inspiring generations of young girls who dreamed of taking the stage.
Her Final Curtain Call
Seely’s final Opry appearance came on Feb. 22, 2025, marking her 5,397th performance on the legendary stage.
She had quietly battled ongoing health issues throughout the year and was also mourning the loss of her husband, Gene Ward, who died in December 2024.
Seely passed peacefully, surrounded by friends and family. She is survived by loved ones — including her beloved cat, Corrie — and a legion of fans who cherished her humor, talent, and fierce spirit.
Saturday night’s (Aug. 2) Grand Ole Opry show will be dedicated to her memory.
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As for Pearce, she’s already making good on her promise to carry Seely’s light forward.
Carly Pearce Instagram
“Thank you for your guidance, your wit, your talents & your shine,” Pearce adds. “I love you forever, Jeannie.”
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Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
