Country singer dies of cancer

Joey with her husband Rory Feek. Photo / Getty Images

The country music singer Joey Feek passed away in her hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, after a long battle with cervical cancer.

Joey's husband and music partner Rory Feek, 50, wrote on his blog This Life I Live: "My wife's greatest dream came true today. She is in Heaven. The cancer is gone. The pain has ceased. And all her tears are dry.

"Though this is, and has been, a time of many tears of sorrow, it has also been a time of countless tears of joy. There have been too many beautiful moments to count or even begin to share ... But I try.

"When a person has been through as much pain and struggle as Joey's been through, you just want it to be over. You want them to not have to hurt anymore, more that you want them to stay with you. And so, it makes the hard job of saying goodbye just a little easier."

Joey, 40, and Rory married in 2002, just two months after they first met. They welcomed their beloved daughter Indiana - who has Down Syndrome - in February 2014 but sadly four months later Joey was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Dolly Parton sent Joey Feek an inspirational message while she was fighting cancer.

Joey, 40, passed away on Friday after a long battle with cervical cancer and her husband Rory Feek revealed she was delighted to receive a video message of support from her idol late last year.

Dolly, 70, said in the video: "Joey and Rory, I've loved you for years. Joey, I just want you to know that I really appreciate the fact that you've often done my songs, talked about me at different times. I've heard that you're a big fan. Well, I want you to know I appreciate that and I want you to know I'm sorry that you're not feeling well. But I know we have something in common. We both believe in a higher power. We believe that, through God, all things are possible. So you keep praying, and I'll keep praying for you. I just think that you're wonderful and I know that God's proud of you. I just wanted to take a chance to say thank you for loving me, and I'll be loving you."

Sadly, Joey lost her brave battle with cancer but Rory revealed she was touched that Dolly reached out to her.

Writing on his blog, This Life I Live, he said: "From the time she was four years old, Joey had been singing Dolly's songs and dreamed of one day meeting her. 'Coat of Many Colors' was a regular part of our show. She never got the chance to meet her in person and had no idea that Dolly even knew who she was. But that changed one Friday evening this past November."

- BANG!Showbiz