Carly Pearce shared the sweet way she remembered late Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely on Thursday (August 14). Seely died earlier this month after a complication from an intestinal infection at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, outside of downtown Nashville. She was 85.

Pearce said in a clip shared on her Instagram story that she was “gutted” to have to miss Seely’s memorial service because of a show at The Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California. The hummingbird artist said:

“OK, so I am in California today, and today is my sweet friend Jeannie Seely’s funeral. And I have been gutted that I’m missing it, but there was no way (I could be there) because I have a show tonight in California. And I was just getting breakfast and this sweet little Shih Tzu walked in — so cute — and I had to meet her because she was precious. And I asked her owner what her name was, and he said ‘Seely.’ So, if that doesn’t mean something, I don’t know what does. …Jeannie, you’re going to be honored today, and so many people love you and that was really cool.”

Pearce went on to share a photo of Seely, the Shih Tzu she met while getting breakfast in California, and a photo of the late Opry star with her long-haired Shih Tzu, Cheyenne, “and you tell me that this isn’t God.” Pearce wrote on her story as she shared a photo of Seely with her beloved dog: “Jeannie I love you so much & know you gave me that sign today because you know I’m heartbroken I’m not there.”

Seely was known as “Miss Country Soul,” and hailed “a trailblazer, an icon, and the oldest actively working female entertainer in country music.” Pearce was one of the first artists to pay tribute to Seely after her passing on August 1, along with Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Lady A’s Hillary Scott and many more. Many gathered at the historic Grand Ole Opry to honor Seely at her service — titled Jeannie Seely's 5,398th Opry Show — on Thursday morning. Seely’s team previously noted in lieu of flowers, fans may consider making a donation to the Opry Trust Fund or a charitable organization that benefits pets.

“When I was in my early 20s, Jeannie and I got to know each other because she lived down the street from me,” Pearce wrote when she paid tribute to Seely on Instagram on August 1. “She quickly took me under her wing, inviting me to go backstage at the [Opry] — knowing it was my dream to play there. Since then, she has become one of my biggest mentors and dearest friends. She celebrated my successes, let me cry on her back porch in private & helped welcome me into the Grand Ole Opry family. I can’t quite put into words what this woman means to me, the opry & country music… but I know there will be a hole in my heart forever. Jeannie, thank you for your guidance, your wit, your talents & your shine. I whispered in her ear this week that I promised to keep the sparkles in the circle and her legacy in lights- and I promise to do that. I love you forever, Jeannie. ♥️🪽”

Corey Klug