Rory Feek is seen grieving at the grave of his beloved wife, Joey Feek, in a sorrowful photo shared on his blog, This Life I Live.
Rory Feek writes an emotional post about Joey Feek's touching funeral: https://t.co/kgVFrXW4iV
— People Magazine (@people) March 13, 2016
Following the funeral for the Joey + Rory singer on Tuesday, Rory Feek took to his blog to express a plethora of emotions, as well as to share several photos from the simple, private service for his precious Joey that was held on their farm.
“On Tuesday we laid my beautiful wife to rest,” Rory Feek writes. “In a grove of sassafras trees behind our farmhouse, with friends and family gathered around, we said goodbye to the greatest person I have ever known.”
“The service started in our barn/concert hall. The last time we were on that stage, was in early October and Joey and I were singing together. But now, a photograph of Joey was in the spotlight…and I was one of many who were there to honor her,” he continues.
Rory Feek goes on to detail the several close friends and family members who either spoke or sang in honor of Joey. He then describes how he felt when it was his turn to share his thoughts.
“When it came my time to speak, I walked up on the stage and stood looking at my wife’s sweet picture…and words were not enough to let her know how much she meant to me–how much she still means to me,” Rory writes.
Rory Feek posted a photo on his blog of that sweet picture, as he bent down to gently place a kiss on his late wife’s likeness.
Joey Feek Laid to Rest at a 'Tearful' Private Ceremony at Her Family's Farm https://t.co/pD2KZIxfdj pic.twitter.com/WHmLm6tjtP
— Country Living (@CountryLiving) March 14, 2016
“And when my time was through and I thought I couldn’t cry anymore tears…they played a video celebrating Joey’s life that our friends Daniel and Gabe made. And my tears were replaced by smiles and laughter and joy and more tears,” Rory pens. “It was so beautiful, set to the song “After You’re Gone” by Iris Dement…a song that Joey loved and requested be played at her service.”
“Joey’s one hope was that she could “come home” on a beautiful day…and it oh, it was.” Rory Feek shares. “The daffodils were blooming, the grass was green and sky was bright blue.”
Rory then shared about the walk from the barn to the small cemetery plot out back, where members of his family are laid to rest, and where the ground was prepared ahead of time for Joey Feek’s simple wooden box.
That simple box was transported to the gravesite by an “1800s wagon” pulled by two mules. He tells how “eight angelic voices” singing “Down by the River to Pray” for the duration of the walk.
Two-year-old Indiana Feek rode to her mother’s gravesite on her daddy’s strong shoulders.
Rory Feek describes the afternoon following Joey’s funeral, too. It was filled with loved ones and memories of Joey Feek. Family and friends gathered near the garden she so loved and shared memories evoking both laughter and tears.
Joey Feek laid to rest in private funeral: 'It was tearful, but optimistic,' says friend https://t.co/oBPoc2tIIJ pic.twitter.com/XVLUTpf6p2
— People Magazine (@people) March 11, 2016
When everyone left that afternoon, Rory describes how he and little Indy took another walk to Joey Feek’s grave. A heart-rending photo shows him solemnly standing over her flower-laden gravesite.
“And when most of the guest had gone and the sun was starting to fade, Indy and I took the short walk together into the back field to see her mama one more time,” he writes. “And we stayed awhile and talked with her.”
“And then we took a deep breath and did what Joey would want us to do,” he adds. “We remembered that she’s still with us. She’ll always be with us. In our hearts.”
Joey Feek touched so many lives. Heartfelt messages from the country community: https://t.co/QG3wpgkLSZ ❤ pic.twitter.com/xJIplx7YiE
— CMT (@CMT) March 6, 2016
“Forever,” Rory Feek concludes, sharing photos of him with a lauging Indy riding on his shoulders, away from Joey’s grave and on to the new life they must now make without their wife and mother.