She’s smiling down from heaven. Late country singer Joey Feek was honored at the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 3, a month after she lost her battle with stage IV cervical cancer at the age of 40.
“A few weeks ago, we lost a member of our country music family with the loss of Joey Feek,” the presenters, Martina McBride and Darius Rucker, shared. “Joey was more than a wonderful singer and an ACM-winning artist with her husband, Rory. She was a beloved mom, daughter, family member and friend. Of all of the different ways we could honor Joey, what would mean the most to Joey and her family is just for one more time, for all of her fans and all of us who love her to give her a big round of applause.”
All of the attendees inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas then stood up to honor the late singer with thunderous applause. The moment was touching and lovely, and fans quickly pointed it out on social media.
Standing ovation for Joey Feek. ❤️?? @joeyandrory #ACMs #InMemory pic.twitter.com/3yQRinEncD
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) April 4, 2016
We’ve got our hands together for you, Joey Feek. RIP Sweet angel. #ACMs
— Taste of Country (@TasteOfCountry) April 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheAndrewPope/status/716804677195718656
OMG I’m gonna cry ??? R.I.P Joey Feek ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #RIPJoeyFeek #ACMs
— Natalia Tanori (@Nat_Tanori) April 4, 2016
Such a touching moment remembering Joey Feek… #ACMs
— Morgan Myles (@MorganMylesLIVE) April 4, 2016
Joey passed away on March 4, after a heartbreaking battle with cancer. Her journey was documented by her husband, Rory, on his blog, This Life I Live. Just this past Saturday, April 2, Rory shared a touching photo of his wife’s grave in Tennessee, which was marked by a white wooden cross.
“A bright sunrise will contradict the heavy fog that weighs you down,” Rory captioned the photo on Instagram.
McBride also revealed that Rory Feek’s daughter Hopie, who was close to her stepmom, Joey, was also in the house on Sunday night. “God bless them and God bless you, Joey.”
