Nancy Jones in June 2025.
The revelation of a statue celebrating the timeless George Jones took center stage in Nashville on Tuesday, June 3. As part of Ryman Auditorium’s iconic Icon Walk, this ceremony paid homage to the legendary presence of Jones in the country music world. Among those profoundly touched by the moment was Nancy Jones, George’s widow, who passionately expressed, “He was just a perfect person to me. I love him,” as she stood beside the statue, a striking testament to her late husband’s enduring impact, both on stage and in the hearts of many. Country singer Jamey Johnson lent his voice to the event, further enriching the tribute.
Honoring her vow to keep her husband’s memory alive, George Jones’ widow, Nancy, stood amid a sea of family, friends, and fans at the Ryman Auditorium’s unveiling on a sunny June afternoon. The historic space echoed warm sentiments as a life-sized tribute to the country icon found its place among The Ryman’s celebrated outdoor Icon Walk. “I’m just so proud to be here and so happy that this is happening because George would be smiling about it,” were the heartfelt words from Nancy Jones, 76, capturing the profound emotion shared by the gathering of about a hundred attendees.
Crafted meticulously by Mississippi artist Ben Watts, the bronze likeness was directly influenced by Nancy’s vision, capturing George in his early 60s, a period she believes encapsulated his essence. “I think that’s what he would’ve wanted,” she reflected, steering Watts’ artistic direction. Completing the nostalgic portrayal, the statue dons quintessential elements of George’s stage persona: impeccably styled hair, distinctive sideburns, snakeskin footwear, a glitzy Nudie suit, and a guitar casually perched with his favored strap, hinting at his memorable smile. According to Nancy, the glasses were non-negotiable, rounding off the homage.
Now joining the ranks of other country luminaries like Charley Pride and Loretta Lynn, George’s replica stands as a new beacon for the Ryman, once home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974, maintaining its status as Nashville’s cultural jewel. Nancy reminisced about George’s unwavering admiration for the Ryman while also candidly acknowledging his battles with personal demons, noting, “It was the only place that I didn’t have to worry about. I wish he could have worked here every weekend because it was the only place he never got drunk. It was like, ‘That’s the Mother Church of Country Music, and you don’t drink there.'”
Adding his voice to the occasion, fellow Opry artist and close friend Jamey Johnson offered a light-hearted recount of George’s infamous alcohol-fueled escapades, such as his bold excursion to a liquor store on a lawnmower. Johnson, 49, remarked, “Some of the stories you heard just seemed almost made up and contrived,” yet acknowledged, “everything about George was larger than life.”
George Jones’ journey towards sobriety, following a near-fatal accident in 1999, only amplified his legendary stature. Continuing to grace stages for 14 more years, he ultimately succumbed to respiratory failure at 81, shortly after his final performance in April 2013. Despite the turbulence of a high-profile relationship with Tammy Wynette, chart-topping success with hits like “White Lightning,” “Golden Ring,” and the haunting “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” defined George’s decades-spanning career. His lauded legacy has been cemented with numerous awards, culminating in his Hall of Fame induction in 1992. Just last March, a grand salute arrived as music titans Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Luke Combs sang George’s praises on a national broadcast marking the Opry’s centennial. Brooks heralded him as ‘the greatest country singer of all time,’ delivering a powerful rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” widely regarded as an immortal classic in country music.
Though absent from the event, Nancy’s heartfelt response from home was one of overwhelming emotion: “I just sat there and cried about it. I’m glad I didn’t go because I would’ve looked crazy out there bawling my eyes out.” Through candid reflection, Nancy admitted she once avoided her husband’s music posthumously, but re-engagement has sparked admiration: “Golly, he was good!” Now, driven by passion and memory, Nancy is in the midst of an initiative to revive the George Jones Museum, closed due to the pandemic and unfortunate downtown events, aiming to reopen its doors and re-illuminate George’s unparalleled legacy. “I don’t want people to forget him,” she declared, echoing her love and eternal admiration: “He was just a perfect person to me. I love him. I did, and I still do, and I always will.”
