Who was Jeannie Seely’s husband? All about the late country icon’s family as she passes away at 85

Country music star Jeannie Seely has passed away at the age of 85. Seely was known for hit songs like Don’t Touch Me and Sentimental Journey.

She married Eugene H. Ward at the Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville in November 2010. Eugene was an attorney based in Nashville. He headed the legal department at the Nashville Electric Service and represented the NES before the General Assembly of Tennessee and even the U.S. Congress.

The couple were together for 15 years before Ward died from cancer in December 2024 at age 92. The country music legend was devastated at the loss of her husband:

"My heart is broken now, but I am so grateful for the 15 years I had with Gene. I knew he was a good man when I married him, but as I experienced life with him, I learned he was a really great man. My love and respect for him grew daily, and it continues as I learn how much he touched the lives of so many people, some who only knew him by the example he set.”

“Yes, a gentleman I’ve known for many years,” Jeannie Seely described husband Eugene Ward in a 2013 interview

Jeannie Seely’s first husband was Hank Cochran, with whom she was married from 1969 to 1981. They had no kids together. The singer’s biggest hit Don’t Touch Me was written by Cochran and earned Seely her first Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance in the female category.

In an interview with Country Stars Channel in 2013, Jeannie Seely stated that she had known her second husband, Eugene Ward, for several years before their romantic relationship. She added that they had both served on the Donelson Chamber of Commerce together:

"Yes, a gentleman I’ve known for many years, he's an attorney here in Nashville. He just retired as Legal Counsel and Vice President of Nashville Electric Service, but once an attorney, always an attorney. (Laughs) We both served on the Donelson Chamber of Commerce together, so we have known each other."

The country music legend opened up about her family life in the interview. Although she didn’t have children with Cochran, she was a stepmother to the music producer’s three sons and helped raise them. She also stepped up as a grandmother for Eugene Ward’s grandchildren. The attorney had three children — Judy Olive, Keven Ward, and Johnny Myers — from his previous marriage.

Jeannie Seely was one of the oldest members of the prestigious Opry and celebrated 55 years as a member in 2022. In 2024, she released Suffertime and revealed to fans that she was working on additional music.

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