Jeannie Seely, the iconic country singer known as “Miss Country Soul,” died at 85 on August 1, 2025, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage,
Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection. Her passing follows a difficult year marked by multiple back and abdominal surgeries,
an 11-day ICU stay, and pneumonia. She also grieved the loss of her husband, Eugene Ward, who died of cancer in December 2024.
Born July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely moved to Nashville in the 1960s to pursue music. Her breakthrough came in 1966 with
the Grammy-winning hit “Don’t Touch Me,” a defining song that launched her career. Known for her emotional vocals, strong stage presence,
and bold personality, she was a trailblazer—one of the first women in country music to wear mini skirts on stage and speak openly about women’s roles.
A Grand Ole Opry member since 1967, she performed there for over 50 years. Throughout her career spanning six decades,
she released more than 15 studio albums and charted over two dozen Billboard singles, including
“Can I Sleep in Your Arms” and “It’s Only Love.” She also wrote songs recorded by legends like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
Seely was a four-time CMA nominee and won the Joe Talbot Award in 2023 for her leadership and dedication to country music traditions.
