Ronnie Milsap's Wife Joyce Dies at 81: 'She Was the Love of My Life'
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2021
- Ronnie Milsap's wife, Joyce Reeves Milsap, has died at age 81.
On Tuesday, Ronnie Milsap confirmed in an official obituary obtained by PEOPLE that his wife of 54 years - whom he lovingly called "my Sapphire" - had died.
"There are no words, and not enough songs in the world to explain how much I love my Sapphire," Milsap, 78, said.
She was the music and the feeling inside all of those songs, so if you loved my music, you understand some of how much I loved my my beautiful, beautiful wife," he added. "It's all in the songs, but she was even more. She was the love of my life, the mother of my son, the world's happiest grandmother."
Milsap continued to open up about his love for his late wife.
"When people tell me they love my music, I always smile, because that music is pure Joyce. We went through lean times laughing, good times beyond our imagination, tough times where we held on to each other for dear life," Milsap said.
"Blessedly/Thankfully, she's in heaven with our Todd - and I know somehow from heaven, she's still here with me every day, because that's just how she was," he added, referring to the loss of their 49-year-old son Todd in 2019.
Joyce was the inspiration behind many the country singer's biggest hits including: "She Keeps The Home Fires Burning" "Daydreams About Night Things," "Smokey Mountain Rain," "Show Her," "Don't You Know How Much I Love You," "A Woman In Love" and "What A Difference You've Made in My Life."
He also wrote about what the loss of their love might be like in "Almost Like A Song," "Still Losing You," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World" and "Lost in the '50s Tonight."
Joyce battled leukemia in 2014, according to USA Today. At the time, she was unable to attend the ceremony where he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"It's always been a dream to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame," he said at the time to the outlet. "That's the highest honor they can bestow. Joycie has been with me through all of this. She's seen me through."
Milsap and Joyce met at a dinner party in the early 1960s - which Milsap, who is blind, calls "love at first sound."
Joyce was also responsible for encouraging her husband throughout his career. It was her idea to move to Nashville in 1972 to further his career, and she was known to vet songs that were pitched to him.
The Oak Ridge Boys, who were a friend of the couples' tweeted a tribute in her honor.
"Joyce [and] Ronnie Milsap have had a renowned and well known romance through 54 years of marriage .. She Passed on to Glory this morning ... love and prayers to our brother ...
Meanwhile, Sam Moore, who was also good friends with the couple made a touching post, reflecting on the couple's relationship.
It is with great sorrow that I post this photo of Ronnie Milsap my friend for more than 50 years and his beloved wife Joyce who passed away this morning," Moore wrote. "Joyce had leukemia and she suffered for many years with it and from it."
"She was an amazing wonderful woman a devoted wife a loving mother and a dear dear dear friend. Rest in heaven Joyce Milsap let God hold you in his arms and be with the Angels," he added.
Katie Cook, an anchor at CMT: Hot 20 said Joyce was "so much more than a superstar's wife."
"She was the backbone of the operation. Sure, she nailed the Christmas decorations, gifts and cards and, of course, always looked the part, she practically wrote the book on how to do the whole star's wife thing. Behind it all, though, she was Ronnie's secret weapon, his rock, his 'Sapphire,'" Cook said.
Undersigned Respectfully Yours XYZ Etowahchutke Tribe Florida Sending my love hugs
God be with you brother Ronnie milsap. Always loved your music. I was country, when country wasn't cool. But you made it both cool and romantic.
Wonderful Life. I’ll always remember his music from my childhood in the 70’s & 80’s. And it’s Love and Joy it brought to my parents in our farmhouse in southern Maryland.
My condolences go out to Ronnie Millsap.
My heart and prayers to you.
WHO EVER IS HELPING
MR RONNIE GOD BLESS
YOU
God bless him, he has lost the two people who meant everything to him.
I'll keep him in my prayers and I hope he has genuine loving people around him to love and care for him now.
I am so sorry for your loss Ronnie Milsap you and your wife make a beautiful couple I lost my husband in 2021 September 24th due to cancer he was eighty years old but he was still a police officer he had retired and went back again he loved being a cop I miss him so much he's in a better place in heaven no more suffering,,, I love you music Ronnie Milsap I grew up on it that was born in August of 68 on the 16th my mother and father they loved your music God bless you Ronnie Milsap
Prayers for you love his songs
Ronnie, please accept my deepest condolences. Thank-you for sharing your God-given talent and gift of music.
Praying for Milsap family.
Our precious Lord and Ronnie's memories of a lifetime shared with Joyce will get him through until he SEE'S her in heaven. May God give him comfort through his grief. So thankful they are both Christians and have this hope in Christ.
im so sorry for your loss and you and your family are in my prayers at this time
Pobre!!!RIP JOYCE
True Blessing they had true love for so long. Very Lucky. They will be together again in God's plan.
I am sorry for your loss. She is waiting for you in heaven.
My condolences Ronnie.
R I P beautiful Soul
So sorry for him.
God Speed
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
R.I.P....RONNIE SAID IT ALL.
I can't remember what initially got me hooked on Ronnie Milsap. Maybe it was the fact that one of my dad's ex-wives had "It was almost like a song" on a CD that had a lot of big hits from the 70's on it. I really don't know. However, I can honestly say that from the first time I heard him, I was hooked. Then, I come to find out that he is blind, and he had a somewhat bad upbringing, and that he didn't use his disability as a crutch, and I respected him even more. I just find it hard to believe that he racked up 40 number one hits between 1972 and 1992, and he's tied for 3rd with Conway Twitty on country music's all-time nember one hits list. He trails only George strait, who has 61 number one hits, and Alabama, who have 44 number ones, so far. As far as his personal issues go, the end of his 56 year marriage is a tough pill to swallow, but I'm sure he's happy knowing that he's got a pretty face waiting to greet him at the pearly gates when his name is called.
Ronnie may be gone but he will not be forgotten and his music will live forever
You do know Ronnie Millsap is still alive and playing shows
@@jimmybaugh5581 It just shows people don't read or pay attention.
So sorry for Ronnie Milsap's wife. R.I.P.
😥
I envy people like them what a wonderful relationship they suffered alot too but to put their faith in Christ and bond together when things got rough . That's what it's all about .I'm 62 I'm not going to live much longer I never met the right woman oh well it wasn't my calling in life .
Very sad. Ronnie Milsap has been through so much sadness, losing both his son and his wife.
This is a tremendously sad day for all of us who love and care for Millsap family I have not seen Ronnie since we both left the governor Morehead school for the blind in Raleigh but I have followed his career and I am so dearly heartbroken to know that he lost his precious Joyce thank you Ronnie for all that you have given us and thank you Joyce for all the love and support that you gave to Ronnie you all will always be together
I didn't know she passed away
That is a fan at a great n meet. She looks nothing like joyce(the first two color after b/w on bus with Todd & Ronnie. Please correct.