On his sprawling 80-acre estate nestled just outside Nashville, country music icon George Jones found joy in the simplest pleasures—feeding the fish in the pond. "We had this massive pond, and George absolutely loved spending time there," his widow, Nancy Jones, shares with Closer. "He was so peaceful out there. We'd ride golf carts around with the grandkids—he adored them! It was our little paradise, where we could escape from everything and just enjoy each other's company without any distractions."
A Turbulent but Tender Love Story
The legendary Texas-born singer, renowned for hits like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” is often celebrated as one of the greatest voices in country music history. However, George also became infamous for his struggles with excessive drinking and a penchant for missing concert appearances. Enter Nancy, his fourth wife, who entered his life in the '80s and transformed it forever. She not only revived his flailing career and reputation but also helped him conquer his personal demons. In her new memoir, Playin’ Possum, Nancy recounts their 32-year relationship, marked by both turbulence and tenderness.
From Skeptic to Admirer
Nancy confesses that when she first met George through a mutual friend, she wasn’t particularly fond of country music. "I saw George perform live that night, and I was blown away," she recalls. "I had never encountered anyone who could sing with such raw emotion. That evening, we sat up talking until the sun came up. It was magic." Nancy quickly discovered that there was more to George than met the eye. "The real George Jones was an incredibly shy person," she explains. "He didn’t enjoy being surrounded by large crowds. He was a quiet observer, and he was hilarious without even realizing it. Being around him was always a joy."
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The Dark Side of Fame
Unfortunately, George's battle with alcoholism would often overshadow his natural charm. "When George drank too much, his personality changed drastically," Nancy reveals. "After his third drink, he became angry and mean. I was genuinely frightened. But I had faith on my side. The key to calming him down when he was drunk and unruly was talking about Jesus." George's journey to sobriety wasn't instantaneous, but he managed to stay sober for the final 14 years of his life. "Let me tell you, he battled some serious demons," Nancy says. "But I always believed there was a good man beneath all that pain."
Setting the Record Straight
While many stories about George highlight his relationship with his third wife and frequent duet partner, Tammy Wynette, calling her the love of his life, Nancy wrote her memoir to clarify the truth. "George and Tammy didn’t get along," Nancy reveals. "It was tough to even get them to talk to each other. I used to joke, 'Y’all should be in movies! The way you act on stage like you care about each other, and then off stage, you fight like cats and dogs.'” Despite their differences, Nancy considered Tammy a friend.
Remembering a Legend
Beyond his roles as a husband, father, and grandfather, George, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 81, should be remembered as a musician who stayed true to his art, according to Nancy. "I miss him every day, and I miss his voice," she says. "I’ve never heard anyone who connected with music the way George did. He lived every note he sang. If he didn’t feel it, he simply couldn’t perform it." George’s legacy lives on through the passion and authenticity he poured into every song.
