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ALEXANDRIA, Ind., March 11 (UPI) -- The Feek family has laid country singer Joey Feek to rest following her battle with cervical cancer. The funeral was attended by close family and friends in her hometown of Alexandria, Ind. Joey, who made up half of the country duo Joey + Rory Feek, died on Mar. 4 at the age of 40 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014.
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Joey spent her final days in hospice care at home while her husband Rory updated fans on her health on the couple's official blog, This Life I Live.
"Joey was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of her passing," a representative of the family said in a statement following the funeral. "Joey had been fighting stage IV cancer for nine months, surrounded by the love and support of countless family members, friends, loved ones, longtime followers of her music and even strangers who were inspired by her life."
"Joey was known for her beautiful voice, beautiful smile and beautiful marriage partnership with Rory Feek. Together they shared a life built around a love of faith, family, farming and country music. Their stories, which ranged from growing vegetables to their blossoming as a country music duo, have impacted countless people through television, radio and performances," the statement continued.
"While grateful for numerous accolades and countless career dreams that came true, Joey found the real meaning and joys of life to be one of love for her GOD, love for her home and family, love for planting and growing and love for sharing with everyone she knew. Her roles as wife and mother are often heralded beyond her celebrity successes."
Joey left behind her husband, 2-year-old daughter Indiana, step children Heidi and Hopie, and her mother, father and three sisters. The family has requested that those who wish to send flowers should instead send a donation to Joey and Indy at their home address.
A public memorial service has been set for Joey which will take place Sunday in the Alexandria-Monroe High School gymnasium. The service will be hosted by family friends and gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither. "Joey was one of a kind," Bill said to USA Today. "We all will miss that sweet, transparent spirit."
Rory Feek last updated the couple's blog announcing that he had returned home to Tennessee after tending to matters in Joey's hometown. "After four-and-a-half months in Indiana, we will soon be back home in Tennessee. Me, and our little one, with our older daughters. It's hard for me to imagine being there without Joey, but at the same time... it is where she wants us to be," he wrote.
"It's where she will be... She's gonna be in the mint growing beside our back deck, the sweet-corn frozen in our freezer and a million other places that her hand and heart has touched around our little farmhouse and community. Joey will still be with us. Everywhere," he wrote. "So if it's okay, I'm gonna close, wipe my tears and pack our bags to hit the road headed south. She's already got a head-start on me."
