June Carter Cash funeral open to public

NASHVILLE, May 17 (UPI) -- Country singer-songwriter June Carter Cash's funeral Sunday will be open to the public, singer Johnny Cash said Friday.

The announcement superseded an earlier announcement by a publicist for Johnny and June Carter Cash that the funeral -- at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. -- would be private.

June Carter Cash died Thursday in Nashville from complications associated with heart surgery that she had undergone on May 7. She was 73. Publicist Lou Robin said Johnny Cash personally decided to open the funeral to the public, rather than restrict it to family and friends.

"Johnny wants June's fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with her family," said Robin in a statement.

Robin also released a statement by Johnny Cash, who maintained a vigil by his wife's side after her heart surgery.

"Thanks to June's friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time," said Johnny Cash. "I love you all."

There was a viewing Friday evening at the Hendersonville Funeral Home on Johnny Cash Parkway in Hendersonville. Another viewing is scheduled for Saturday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

June Carter Cash -- the daughter of country music pioneer Maybelle Carter -- won Grammys with Johnny Cash for "If I Were A Carpenter" and "Jackson." She won a Grammy in 2000 for her solo album "Press On," and co-wrote one of Johnny Cash's biggest hits, "Ring of Fire," in 1963.

June Carter Cash also had an acting career. She co-starred with Johnny Cash in several TV movies -- including "Gospel Road" (1973), "Murder in Coweta County" (1983) and "Stagecoach" (1986). She co-starred with Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall in the 1997 theatrical feature "The Apostle."

On TV, June Carter Cash appeared in several episodes of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." In the 1950s she appeared on "The Edge of Night."