Naomi Judd, one-half of the Grammy-winning country duo The Judds, passed away on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76.
She died by suicide after a long battle with mental illness, leaving behind a legacy of music, activism, and inspiration.
Her family, friends, and fans gathered to honor her life and career in a series of private and public events.
Here is a summary of what happened at Naomi Judd’s funeral and memorial service.
Private Funeral Service
On May 7, 2022, a private funeral service was held for Naomi Judd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
The service was attended by close family members, including her husband Larry Strickland, and her daughters Wynonna and Ashley Judd.
It was also attended by some of her fellow country music stars, such as Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, the Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, and The Isaacs.
The service featured performances of some of Naomi’s favorite songs,
which she had chosen herself before her death. According to Country Insider1, some of the songs included “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, “I’ll Fly Away”, and “Love Can Build a Bridge”.
Ashley Judd delivered a eulogy for her mother, in which she praised her courage, compassion, and creativity
She also shared some of the struggles that Naomi faced with her mental health and encouraged others to seek help if they are in a similar situation.
Public Memorial Service
On May 15, 2022, a public memorial service was held for Naomi Judd at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The service was hosted by Robin Roberts, a close family friend and co-host of Good Morning America.
It was broadcast live on CMT as “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration”, after the title of The Judds’ fifth studio album and its song of the same name.
The service featured tributes from family and friends, along with never-before-seen performances by some of the current artists in country music.
Some of the performers included Little Big Town, Jamey Johnson, Emmylou Harris with Allison Russell, Brad Paisley, and Brandi Carlile.
Wynonna Judd also performed two songs that her mother wrote: “River of Time” and “The Rose”.
The service also included special messages from celebrities such as Bono, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Reese Witherspoon, and Bette Midler.
Larry Strickland spoke about his wife’s love for life and people
He read an email he received from a man who met Naomi on a flight and was touched by her kindness.
Wynonna Judd made the audience laugh by joking about her sometimes tumultuous relationship with her mother and sister.
She said that they were showing the world what a dysfunctional family does: “You show up for each other”.
Conclusion
Naomi Judd’s funeral and memorial service were both heartfelt and uplifting events that celebrated her life and legacy
She was remembered as a country music legend, a loving mother and wife, a passionate advocate for various causes, and a brave woman who fought against mental illness.
Naomi left behind a rich catalog of songs that will continue to inspire generations of fans and artists.
She also left behind a message of hope and healing for those who are suffering from similar challenges.
As Ashley Judd said in her statement after her mother’s death:
“We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public.
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