‘Hometown Hero’ Joey Feek Remembered at Public Memorial Service

Rory Feek joins Bill Gaither and the Alexandria Fieldhouse in song honoring the community. pic.twitter.com/4Pd72tr8hX

— David MacAnally (@DavidMacAnally) March 13, 2016

On Sunday afternoon (March 13), friends, fans and family gathered to remember Joey Feek, who passed away on March 4 after a months-long battle with cancer.

According to Us Weekly, hundreds of people -- some carrying signs featuring quotes and photos, others holding candles -- attended the memorial service, held in the Alexandria-Monroe High School gym, in Feek's hometown of Alexandria, Ind. Family friend Bill Gaither, pastor Jerry Young and Feek's mother, June Martin, all spoke or sang during the event.

“Joey is a hometown hero, and her hymns and stories are so inspirational to me and my family,” Alexandria resident Howard Wright says. "We love [Joey + Rory] and hope she’s staring down on this day from heaven, looking at all the hometown support she has here today.”

Feek's husband, Rory Feek, as well as their daughter Indiana also attended the ceremony. Rory Feek was presented with his wife's high school varsity letter jacket, which she earned playing basketball

“This is such a special place, with special people, for us all to be in today,” Rory Feek told the crowd. “... This place taught her a lot of lessons, but what she really lettered in was love.”

Additionally, memorial ceremony attendees joined together to sing "Lean on Me," one of Joey Feek's favorite songs. Press play on the video above to watch a snippet of the sing-a-long.

"Joey, I’ll see you at the house," Rory Feek said at the end of the event.

Joey Feek was laid to rest during a private funeral on the Feek's property in Tennessee on Tuesday (March 8). In a recent blog post, Rory Feek shared photos from the event.

“… It was an afternoon filled with so much joy and love. Even our little Indiana had a wonderful time …,” Feek writes. “And when most of the guests 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. 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. Forever.”

In lieu of flowers, those looking for a way to express their condolences may send donations to the following address:

Joey and Indy
P.O. Box 5471
Vancouver, WA 98668

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