Photo by Chris Hollo/Grand Ole OpryCountry Music Hall of Famer Jean Shepard passed away Sunday morning in Nashville at the age of 82, after being placed in hospice care late last week.
The outspoken proponent of traditional country music celebrated 60 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry last November, as she stepped onto the legendary stage for the final time. She’s the only female ever to achieve six decades as part of the Opry lineup.
The Oklahoma native was discovered by fellow Hall of Famer Hank Thompson when she only 14, as she played bass and sang in an all-female band. She’d go on to have hits like “A Dear John Letter,” “Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar),” “A Satisfied Mind,” and “Slippin’ Away.”
Jean Shepard became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.
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