Highway Renamed to Honor Late Legend George Jones

A portion of a Tennessee highway has a brand new name, as a stretch of Tennessee State Route 96 is now dedicated to the memory of country legend George Jones.

Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson recently announced the bestowing of the road’s new title along with the establishment of George Jones Day to commemorate the singer. The George Jones Memorial Highway runs through 10 counties, from Dickson, Tenn., to Granville, Tenn.

The Grammy-winning singer is known for classics like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” and “White Lightning” from his 59-year career.

Jones passed away on April 26, 2013, but his memory is still very much alive. A new museum was established in April 2015 in Nashville to honor the icon, which gives fans a glimpse into Jones’ entire life, including his childhood, his time as a U.S. Marine and his stint as a radio deejay. It even features a unique interactive booth in which fans can experience what it would have been like to sing alongside the country great. Silver Trail Distillery's White Lightning moonshine, named for the singer’s classic hit, was launched in conjunction with the museum opening. A film about the singer’s life and career, which he actually began writing himself six years ago, is also currently in the works. Jones' wife, Nancy, has committed to finishing the script.

“We wanted to let the world know who George Jones is,” she explains. “To me, he really made country music. He never strayed away from his roots.”

Friend and fellow country star Alan Jackson recently shared Jones' last letter written before he passed away, addressed to Jackson, asking him to be a part of his final show and thanking him for being a “true friend."

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