by Heather Graf
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Close friends, family, Music City and the world said
goodbye to the Queen of Country Music at her funeral Friday. Kitty Wells died Monday
at the age of 92.
The funeral took place at Hendersonville Church of Christ.
Bill Anderson, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, and Ricky Skaggs were just a
few of the entertainers who showed up to pay their respects.
"I don't think she ever really knew how big a superstar she was,"
said Anderson. "I think she probably knew what a good wife and mother
and grandmother she was, but I don't know if she knew how big a star she was – but
we did."
Ricky Skaggs and The Whites honored country's first female superstar with a
few of her favorite songs, played during the service.
"When she walked into a room, the presence of royalty and the regalness
of a queen was on her. It was just a presence there," he said. "She
opened doors for women across the world, she really did."
The funeral lasted a little less than two hours. During that time, the crowd
heard story after story about her incredible career, starting with her humble
beginnings in South Nashville.
Kitty, was the first female performer in country music to take a song to
number one.
"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" went to the top of the
charts in 1952, and for the 14 years that followed, Wells reigned as country
music's top female singer.
"The music, the music was just wonderful down through the years,"
said country music entertainer Marty Stuart. "It's timeless."
Wells' family said she passed away after complications from a stroke.
Johnnie Wright, her husband of 74 years and a man she made a lot of music
with, passed away just last year.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to Goodpasture
Christian School in Madison.
Email: hgraf@newschannel5.com
