Rory Feek he honors his late wife Joey Feek ten years after his death.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, March 4, the country music star, 60, paid tribute to Joey, who died in March 2016 after a battle with cervical cancer. He was 40 years old.
“Ten years ago today… Joey took his last breath here on this earth and a moment later, his first in Heaven,” Rory posted alongside a video showing Joey’s grave. “And even though his time on earth was over, his impact on the world was just beginning. In the months and years that followed, millions of people were touched, touched and inspired by his music and even more, his life.”
Rory went on to describe Joey as “by far, the bravest person I’ve ever met” in the heartfelt post.
“During his two-year battle with cervical cancer, he never once complained, never felt sorry for himself and never stopped believing that somehow, all of this was part of a bigger plan, and that one day we will see a purpose that only He could see at that time,” he wrote. “Joey knew what was most important in life and he lived it every day, even in the smallest things.”
The singer also revealed Joey’s personality, noting that although he was known for his physical beauty and talent, his inner spirit was what really defined him.
“Although she was beautiful, she was even more beautiful on the inside. In the end, when all the beauty on the outside was taken away, it made the light inside shine even brighter,” he added. “Joey showed me for the first time in my life, what true, selfless love looked like, and he inspired us all to live life to the fullest and more importantly, how to live life to the fullest.”
Joey and Rory Feek.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/ACMA2010/Getty Images for ACMA)Rory also touched on the last weeks of Joey’s life and the next chapter of their family led by Joey’s love for them. (Rory and Joey, who married in 2002, share a daughter Indiana, 12. After Joey’s death, Rory moved on with Indiana teacher Rebecca, whom he married in July 2024. Rory also has daughters Heidi, 39, and Hopie, 37, with his first wife Tamara Gilmer.)
“For the past few weeks and days, he knew that although his story would end, and it was hard to see at the time … a new story would begin for me, and Indy,” Rory wrote. And he loved us enough, to encourage us to love again after he was gone. He was praying for Rebecca, and he knew she would be a blessing to us, even though he never met her.”
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Concluding the tribute, Rory explained why Joey’s song “Nothing to Remember” was chosen to accompany the charity post.
“This was the first song Joey and I ever wrote together — long before we were together or had any idea of the amazing life or story God would give us in the years to come,” he shared. “The prophetic message that loving someone makes losing them more than worth it.”
Joey was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014, and it came back stage 4 in 2015. In October 2015, the country singer announced that she would stop further chemotherapy and live out her final days in hospital.
“I pray that one morning I don’t wake up,” the singer told The Tennessean at the time. “I am not afraid of anything because I am very close to God and we have talked about it many times, I know that he is near.”
Joey died on March 4, 2016, surrounded by his loved ones, according to a blog written by Rory at the time.
“My wife’s biggest dream came true today, she is in Heaven,” he wrote. “The cancer is gone, the pain is gone and her tears are dry.”
