Joey+Rory's Last Album Remains on Top of Charts as Rory Shares Photo of Joey's Grave for Fans
Joey+Rory's last album, Hymns That Are Important to Us, remains on the top of country music and Christian charts since Joey's death last month. Rory Feek chose not to attend Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards and posted the first picture of Joey's grave for their fans.
The album, which Joey called "God's record," took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, as the 51st ACM awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas took a moment to honor Joey, who died last month after a nearly two-year battle with cancer, according to USA Today.
"Joey was more than a wonderful singer and an ACM winning artist along with her husband, Rory. She was a beloved mom, daughter, family member and friend," Martina McBride said, according to Fox59.
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"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," Darius Rucker was quoted as saying.
The crowd also honored Joey with a standing ovation, even as Rory stayed home with their 2-year-old daughter, Indiana.
The couple was nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year, which went to Florida Georgia Line.
On Saturday morning, Rory shared a photo of his wife's grave on Instagram.
The picture, taken during sunrise, shows light falling on the cross at Joey's grave on their farm while her horses stand guard at the fence. As the caption, Rory wrote, "…a bright sunrise will contradict the heavy fog that weighs you down," lyrics from their song, "When I'm Gone."
Rory also posted a new update on his blog, titled "Less is More."
"Indy has not asked for her mama. Not one single time since Joey's been gone," he wrote. "It's almost as if she hasn't noticed that she's not here. And that is so sad ... and oh, so wonderful — all at the same time."
Announcing his wife's death last month, Rory wrote on his blog: "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. Joey is in the arms of her beloved brother Justin and using her pretty voice to sing for her Savior."
He added: "At 2:30 this afternoon, as we were gathered around her, holding hands and praying. … My precious bride breathed her last. And a moment later took her first breath on the other side. Though this is, and has been, a time of many tears of sorrow, it has also been a time of countless tears of joy."
After the diagnosis in 2014, Joey began seeking chemotherapy. However, her cancer returned last October, which was when they found out that the cancer had already spread to her colon. The doctors then told Rory that she only had six more weeks to live.
