{"id":22493,"date":"2025-08-02T17:02:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T17:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=22493"},"modified":"2025-08-02T17:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T17:02:17","slug":"dolly-parton-is-heartbroken-the-country-music-legend-just-lost-one-of-her-closest-friends-jeannie-seely-and-her-goodbye-is-nothing-short-of-soul-stirring-in-a-tearful-tribute-dolly-called-jeannie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=22493","title":{"rendered":"Dolly Parton is heartbroken. The country music legend just lost one of her closest friends, Jeannie Seely, and her goodbye is nothing short of soul-stirring. In a tearful tribute, Dolly called Jeannie her \u201cdearest friend\u201d and shared memories that only two lifelong sisters-in-music could understand. But it was what she did next that truly broke hearts\u2014Dolly shared a rare video of herself singing \u201cJeannie\u2019s Afraid of the Dark,\u201d turning the classic into one final, emotional gift. Her voice trembled with love, loss, and a pain only real friendship can bring."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

The country singer died aged 85 on August 1, 2025<\/h2>\n
\"dolly<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Dolly Parton\u00a0is mourning the loss of one of her \u201cdearest\u201d friends, country music legend\u00a0Jeannie Seely<\/strong>, following her death on August 1, 2025.<\/p>\n

Jeannie, best known for her hit song \u201cDon\u2019t Touch Me\u201d, passed away on Friday at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. She was 85.<\/p>\n

Cause of death<\/h2>\n

The country singer, whose husband Eugene Ward died from cancer in December 2024, spent much of 2025 battling health issues and died as a result of complications from an intestinal infection, according to reports.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\"jeannie
\u00a9 FilmMagic Jeannie Seely died August 1, 2025, aged 85<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tribute<\/h2>\n

After hearing the news, Dolly took to Instagram to pen an emotional statement to her longtime friend.<\/p>\n

It read: \u201cI have known Jeannie Seely since we were early on in Nashville. She was one of my dearest friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she was one of the greater singers in Nashville and she had a wonderful sense of humor. We had many wonderful laughs together, cried over certain things together and she will be missed,\u201d Dolly added.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\"dolly
\u00a9 Instagram Dolly paid tribute to Jeannie on Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fans flooded Dolly\u2019s post with messages of condolences, with one responding: \u201cOh Ms. Dolly my heart is broken for you and all those who loved Jeannie so much. Sending you so much love and strength during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

A second said: \u201cSorry for your loss. What a nice post to remember her by.\u201d A third added: \u201cI\u2019m so sorry for this new loss, Dolly. May the Lord hold you and Jeannie\u2019s family tight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dolly and Jeannie met in Nashville when the \u201c9 to 5\u201d singer replaced her on\u00a0The Porter Wagoner Show\u00a0<\/em>after she went on tour following the success of her 1966 hit \u201cDon\u2019t Touch Me.\u201d They also appeared together at the Grand Ole Opry, and Jeannie\u2019s vocals were featured on Dolly\u2019s 2005 album,\u00a0Those Were The Days.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\"jeannie
\u00a9 Getty Images Jeannie died of complications from an intestinal infection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Jeannie had been plagued by health issues before her death, including multiple surgeries on her back to repair her vertebrae and two emergency abdominal surgeries. She also suffered from pneumonia during an 11-day stay in intensive care.<\/p>\n

\u201cRehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. And it was neon, so I knew it was mine!\u201d she said in May. \u201cThe unsinkable Seely is working her way back.\u201d<\/p>\n