Joey Martin Feek, age 40, went home to meet her Savior Friday, March 4th, 2016, around 2:30pm, in her native hometown of Alexandria, IN. A current resident of Pottsville, TN, with her husband, Rory, Joey was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of her passing.
Joey fought Stage IV cervical cancer for nine months, surrounded by the love and support of countless family members, friends, loved ones, longtime followers of her music and even strangers who were inspired by her life.
Joey was known for her beautiful voice, beautiful smile and beautiful marriage partnership with Rory Feek. Together they shared a life built around a love of faith, family, farming and country music. Their stories, which ranged from growing vegetables to their blossoming as a country music duo, have impacted countless people through television, radio and performances. While grateful for numerous accolades and countless career dreams that came true, Joey found the real meaning and joys of life to be one of love for her GOD, love for her home and family, love for planting and growing and love for sharing with everyone she knew. Her roles as wife and mother are often heralded beyond her celebrity successes.
Long-time family friend, Bill Gaither, stated, “Joey was one of a kind. We all will miss that sweet, transparent spirit.”
Joey is survived by her adoring husband, Rory; their three children, Heidi, Hopie and Indiana; her mother and father and three sisters. A private family service was held Tuesday, March 8, at the Feeks’ family farm in Columbia, Tennessee.
A public memorial service remembering Joey was held on Sunday, March 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the Alexandria-Monroe High School gymnasium, where Joey played basketball in high school. Bill and Gloria Gaither hosted the moving tribute service, along with the Martin family’s pastor, Rev. Jerry Young, and local friend and funeral director, Mike Owens. Joey’s mom, June Martin, spoke words of gratitude for the community’s love and support for Joey throughout her life and during the difficult months while she was ill. June and Joey’s father, Jack, sang a hymn together, and local baseball Hall of Famer Carl Erskine played “Back Home Again In Indiana” as Rory danced with his 2-year-old daughter, Indiana. Rory spoke of his love for Joey, her impact on his life and everyone who knew her, and he expressed his gratitude for her hometown as he put on the letter jacket presented to him by Joey’s high school basketball coach, John Howell. Throughout the service, videos played that expressed the beautiful life story of Joey Martin Feek and the love she had for God, for others, for music and for creation. Gloria Gaither gave a moving eulogy before the close of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Joey and Indy at PO Box 5471 Vancouver, WA 98668. Joey and Rory’s journey of love and some of the stories of the past few months can be found at Rory’s blog: www.thislifeilive.com.
We love to remember Joey’s beautiful voice singing songs about Heaven. Here is a beautiful one that reminds us that she is now exactly where she wanted to be.