Remembering Grand Ole Opry Star Jan Howard

 Posted by at 2:18 pm on March 29, 2020
Mar 292020
 

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It was just over a week ago that we reported on the loss of Hall of Famer Kenny Rogers and the amazing outpouring of remembrances from his fellow stars. Today, we sadly report the passing of Grand Ole Opry member Jan Howard, who passed away yesterday.  She was the oldest living member of the Opry.  Fellow stars have been issuing their condolences and remembrances across social media.  Here’s what they are saying:

  • Bellamy Brothers – Country music lost an incredible lady today. Rest in Peace, Jan Howard. We’re keeping her family, friends, and all of her fans in our prayers.
  • Bobby Braddock – Jan Howard was a bestselling singer, Grand Ole Opry star, songwriter, author, but also a successful human being and a beloved friend to many.
  • Bobby Tomberlin – Jan was the most honest and strongest person that I’ve ever met. She lived life to the fullest. I was blessed to call her a very good friend for the past 23 years.  She lived and loved Country Music.
  • Buddy Cannon – With the passing of our wonderful friend Jan Howard, we have lost one of the very few remaining links connecting the roots of early California country music to the Nashville songwriting gold rush era of the early 1960s. I never had a conversation with Jan that I did not learn things that were important to me. I loved her and I will always treasure her friendship.
  • Charlie Daniels – Our dear sweet friend Jan Howard has passed away and Hazel and myself extend our deepest condolences to the family and the many friends, who, like us, loved her and will always remember her fondly. Rest in peace Jan, you will not be forgotten.
  • Charlie Monk – Knowing Jan Howard’s music was a blessing but knowing her was a a double dose of blessing.  When she walked into a room or on a stage, she always brought a warm smile and cherry note.  I will miss her talent and her funny stories. One of the real grand ladies of the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Chris Janson – Rip Jan Howard my fellow Opry member. You will be greatly missed. Praying for your sweet family.
  • Crystal Gayle – I am so saddened that Jan Howard has left us. Jan is one of the legendary artists who paved the way in country music for all of us ladies who followed. She has always been so nice to me and I always loved listening to her stories. We will miss you, Jan.
  • Dallas Wayne – Very sad news today. Singer-songwriter Jan Howard, one of the “Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry,” has passed away. She had everything to be admired in a woman… strength, beauty, smarts, talent and heart. She will be missed.
  • Darin and Brooke Aldridge – Jan Howard was not only loved for the great artist and years of music she shared with the world, but the fact that she was “REAL”. It broke our hearts to hear the story of her son that died in Vietnam after watching the Ken Burns Country Music Documentary, but makes us happy to know that they’re rejoicing together in Heaven today. You will be greatly missed, Jan.
  • Deborah Allen – So sad to hear of the passing of Jan Howard. One of the Grand Ole Opry‘s most talented and beautiful ladies! So proud to call her my friend! True grit and grace combined with her amazing vocal talent & stellar songwriting insured her iconic place in country music, a Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Diamond Rio – Jan Howard was always a great friend to us Rio guys. Everytime we saw her at the Opry we were always met with smile and a BIG hug. We held a charity Golf Tournament for 10 yrs and Jan was always one of the first celebrities to participate. We will truly miss her friendship and sweet soul.
  • Exile – The Exile family is saddened at the passing of a great lady, a legend, and our friend, Jan Howard. Go rest high dear friend.
  • Janie Fricke – I had a chance to work with Jan Howard over the past few years donating our time and music for the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch fundraiser in Victoria, Texas. We all became close friends and I enjoyed her so much. This is such sad news about such a great lady.
  • Jeannie Seely – So sorry to lose my friend and Opry sister Jan Howard. She was one of the first friends I met on my first trip to Nashville in 1963. We shared many great times and got through some rough ones. And right up to the end she flashed that million dollar smile. I’m sad she’s gone but I’m glad she didn’t linger and suffer. The first memory that came to my mind today was one time she called and when I asked her what she’d been doing, she said well I just got through riding an elephant! Jan always said ‘Life is not a rhearsal, this is it, make the most of it.’ She made me promise her that I would put her cell phone in her casket just in case! Her sense of humor was like no other. She’s already missed.
  • Joe Bonsall (Oak Ridge Boys) – So sad to lose two very special legends as well as the Opry family. Jan Howard was always such a feisty woman who took her talents to levels that even she never could have imagined. A great lady who will be missed by all.
  • Julie Fudge & The Patsy Cline Family – We are sad to say so long to Jan Howard. She was a friend of our family for many years and she will be missed. A sweet, strong woman that I am so very glad to have known. Thank you for the memories Jan!
  • Mark Wills – Saddened to hear of the passing of our matriarch Jan Howard who was the longest living member of the Opry and will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Jan.
  • Ron Harmon – Jan’s wonderful contributions to country music not only included her music, but also her best-selling autobiography “Sunshine and Shadow.” There’s no more shadow in Jan’s life now. She’s walking in total sunshine, and I’m sure she’s hugging her two sons and her country music friends. It’s hard losing a special friend, but if you miss them it means you were lucky you had that special person in your life. And Jan was certainly a special person. She left this world peacefully, without suffering or pain, and without contracting this terrible virus, so that is comforting. And I know she was ready to go home. A sunset on Earth is a sunrise in Heaven.
  • Rosanne Cash – Jan was sweet as honey and tough as nails. When I was at Vanderbilt in 1976, she invited me to stay with her during final exams so I could be close to campus. She helped me study and she woke me up every morning and made breakfast for me. She was always incredibly generous and kind to me. I hadn’t seen her in decades, but I got a message last December that she wanted to see me. I went to visit her and she told me stories about the past, about my dad, and about her life. I’m so grateful we had that last conversation and I’m so grateful I could call her a friend.
  • Steve Wariner – Sure going to miss my sweet Jan Howard. What a special lady. I’ll really miss her.
  • T. Graham Brown – Jan Howard was a great golf partner and friend. She was rare and feisty! The last time I talked to her was at church when she came to hear me sing. We will all miss her very much! Prayers for her family and friends.
  • Trisha Yearwood – As a female singer in country music, I am indebted to Jan Howard for helping pave the way for all the “girl singers”. Thank you for your friendship and your kindness. We will all miss you dearly. xoxo Trisha