Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Joey Feek: Country music star dies of cancer aged 40

Along with her husband, Feek was one part of music due Joey + Rory

Olivia Blair
Saturday 05 March 2016 05:50 EST
Comments
( Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Country music star Joey Feek had died aged 40 following a two year illness with cancer, her management has confirmed.

Feek was best known as part of the award winning husband and wife country music duo Joey + Rory.

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014 which soon spread despite surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In October 2015, Rory said Feek had decided to end treatment.

Her husband documented the past few years on his blog and would often post updates on his wife’s condition.

On Friday he announced: “My wife’s greatest dream came true today. She is in Heaven […] At 2:30 this afternoon, as we were gathered around her, holding hands and praying… my precious bride breathed her last. And a moment later took her first breath on the other side.

“[…] Though this is, and had been, a time of many tears of sorry, it has also been a time of countless tears of joy. There have been too many beautiful moments to count or even begin to share in this blog. But I try.”

Joey + Rory performing in California in 2010
Joey + Rory performing in California in 2010 (Kevin Winter/Getty Images))

The couple found success after auditioning for US country music singing show Can You Duet in 2008 and continued to record music through her illness. Their album of hymns topped Billboard’s Country Albums charts in March and their song “If I Needed You” was nominated for a Grammy this year.

Country music stars Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton were among the many to pay tribute to Feek on Twitter:

Feek is survived by Rory and their two-year-old daughter Indiana.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in