Kitty Wells

Ellen Muriel Deason Wright, known to the world as, legendary “Queen Of Country Music”, Kitty Wells, age 92, passed away Monday, July 16, 2012. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 20, 2012 at 1 pm at the Hendersonville Church of Christ with Bro. Steve North officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery with her nephews serving as pallbearers. Serving as honorary pallbearers former band members, The Tennessee Mountain Boys. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday, July 19 2 pm - 8 pm. Muriel was born on August 30, 1919 in Nashville, TN to the late Carey and Myrtle Deason. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 74 years, Johnnie Wright; her daughter, Ruby Wright Taylor. She is survived by her son, Bobby Wright; daughter, Sue Wright Sturdivant; grandchildren, Larry “Duke” Stephenson, Kitty Ervin, Corrie Cluck, LeAnn Henson, Kamela Stewart, John Sturdivant, Jr., David Sturdivant, and Stephanie Sturdivant; 12 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; and devoted nieces and nephews. Kitty Wells started her career with Johnnie in 1937. In 1952 she was the first female singer to reach #1 in the country charts with her song, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”. For the next 14 consecutive years she reigned as country music’s top female singer. In 1976 she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Some of Kitty’s other accolades include: NARAS Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Recording Industry, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Grammy Hall of Fame, Music City News Living Legend Award, and Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award. She toured with her family show until 2007. She was a member of the Church of Christ and DAR. Revered by her accomplishments in music, she will be mostly remembered and respected for her love of the Lord, family, friends, and fans. In lieu of flowers make donations to Goodpasture Christian School, Madison, TN: C/O Kitty Wells / Johnnie Wright Scholarship Fund Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615)

Kitty Wells

August 30, 1919 - July 16, 2012