Fans who had been waiting in line since the wee hours joined some of country’s biggest stars Thursday, May 2, 2013, to pay their respects to George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Jones died last week in the midst of a farewell tour that was to have wrapped up with an all-star salute in November in Nashville. He was 81.
Country musician Charlie Daniels performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musician Travis Tritt performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country singer Randy Travis performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musician Tanya Tucker performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country singer Barbara Mandrell speaks at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys perform at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musicians Trisha Yearwood, left, and Garth Brooks, and former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, Nancy Jones, and Breanne Hohimer attend the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81.
Country musician Kid Rock performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musician Brad Paisley performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musician Alan Jackson performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musicians Patty Loveless and Vince Gill perform at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush speaks at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country musician Ronnie Milsap performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country singer Kenny Chesney speaks at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
Country singer Wynonna performs at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
General view of the atmosphere at the funeral service for George Jones at The Grand Ole Opry on May 2, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones passed away on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial)
