Feek in 2010, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Joey Marie Martin
Date of Birth: September 9, 1975
Place of Birth: Alexandria, Indiana, U.S.
Date of Death: March 4, 2016
Place of Death: Alexandria, Indiana, U.S.
Ethnicity: Irish, English, German, Native American
Joey Feek was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was a member of country and bluegrass duo Joey + Rory, alongside her husband Rory Feek, until her death. The couple had a daughter.
On his blog, Rory wrote:
If you look up Indiana, it means “land of Indians,” and Joey has lots of American Indian blood in her heritage, as do I, though the Irish in me is what’s visible most in the mirror.
Joey’s paternal grandfather was William Martin (the son of Charles Warren Martin and Missouri Belle Gentry). William was born in Arkansas. Charles was the son of Warren Woodson Martin, who was born in Ireland, and of Mary Ann “Mollie” Moody.
Joey’s paternal grandmother was Ethel Marie Parker (the daughter of William Parker and Beatrice Richards). Ethel was born in Texas.
Joey’s maternal grandfather is Virgil A. Sparks (the son of George Cleveland Sparks and Clara Avery). Virgil was born in Indiana.
Joey’s maternal grandmother is named Lucille Krueger.
Sources: Genealogy of Joey’s paternal grandfather, William Martin (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Joey’s paternal grandmother, Ethel Marie (Parker) Martin – http://www.heraldbulletin.com
Obituary of Joey’s maternal grandfather, Virgil A. Sparks – http://www.heraldbulletin.com
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