The grief that Rory’s feeling right now must be overwhelming, but he took the time to celebrate his beloved Joey’s life in exactly the way she wanted. In an unconventional move, professional photos were taken of Rory’s funeral and burial, and they captured the grace and beauty of the day completely. CLICK HERE to see all the photos!
A moving, private Christian ceremony held in the Feek’s barn house honored Joey’s life and legacy, as industry friends sang in tribute, and others shared their fondest memories of the late country star. Rory then led the procession to the back end of their estate, where a small family cemetery plot lies. “Joey’s one hope was that she could “come home” on a beautiful day… and oh, it was,” Rory wrote. “The daffodils were blooming, the grass was green and sky was bright blue. Eight angelic voices led a procession singing ‘Down By The River To Pray’ all the way out to the family plot.”
The haunting black and white photos didn’t show crying faces, but people who were truly celebrating a life. Rory’s casket was carried out to the cemetery in an 1860s covered wagon, a team of mules pulling her with six men at her sides. Like a still from an old film! The photos are obviously emotional; a breathtaking shot shows the huge crowd of people fanned out in the little forested area as Joey’s casket is lowered into the ground. Another shows Rory kneeling, by himself, at his wife’s headstone. Tears!
Rory previously revealed that Joey wanted to be buried in a “rough-cut wooden box with a cross on it” made from wood at the farm. “Find a good spot in the family cemetery in the field behind our house, where we put your mama’s ashes last year,” Joey told him. “[Leave] room enough beside my headstone for you to join me someday… in God’s time.” Rest in peace, Joey.
HollywoodLifers, our thoughts are with Rory, and Joey’s loved ones during this difficult time.