Rory Feek Opens Up About His Wife Joey's Death, God's Will & Their Hymns Album

Joey Martin Feek, age 40, went home to meet her Savior Friday, March 4^th, 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 had been fighting Stage IV 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. 

The couple's final album Hymns That Are Important to Us debuted at #1 on both the Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts following its release in February.  In an exclusive interview with Billboard, Rory is grateful of the success of the album and he's quick to give the glory to God. "Hearing how well the album did meant a lot to us, because Joey's legacy and music could reach more people. Also financially it helped us to not have to worry, which has been a blessing. But the biggest thing was that we saw how God was working and using the music in such an incredible way. Joey's response [to the chart news] was, "God is going to get the glory." The truth is, that's the only way to explain it. God created a situation where it all came together, and that was beautiful to be a part of -- still is," Rory reveals.  

Rory also reveals that Joey would actually recover from her cancer.  They were so hopefully that they never thought Hymns would be their final record. "No -- we had unwavering hope, so we never really thought like that. We did shows every month, all the way through. I knew it was hard for her, but we always treated everything like, "This is a season, and we're going to get better." She kept wanting to sing, even when it was hard for her to get onstage. Not because she wanted to make money or get applause, but because she wanted to share her music." 

Rory and the couple's daughter still listen to Hymns every day as they still miss Joey alot. "Every morning about 5:30, Indiana and I get up, and quite often I play her the Hymns record. Sometimes we'll listen and it'll make us smile. Indiana will do sign language to "Jesus Loves Me," just like she would with her mother. And then there are other times ... I'm making eggs, and emotional, and Indy doesn't quite understand it. But that's part of it -- it's OK. I listen to it a lot, actually. I watch through our videos a lot. Being able to watch the videos, she's still alive. Hearing the music, she's still alive." 

Rory Feek noted before Joey Feek passed away, "This is the last record that Joey and I will ever get to make and the last songs we'll ever get to sing together. I have no desire to go on singing or performing without her." And as of now, he's staying true to that: He says, "I haven't written in more than two years. No guitars," but he is producing a record for Bradley Walker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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