Though she did not write a hit song, Patsi Bale Cox wrote many of a word that help preserve country music history. Through her words, she helped sculpt the stories of Kentucky natives Loretta Lynn and Wynonna Judd, along with Trisha Yearwood, and Garth Brooks. Most recently, she published the story of the Jones family – as in George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and their daughter, Georgette Jones.

Saturday evening, the country music community lost one of its own. Patsi Bale Cox passed away due to emphysema at the age of 66. Originally from Kansas, she moved to Nashville in 1983. Cox would work with regional publications and other freelance work. While Working with PolyGram and Capitol Records, she would go on to publish “The Garth Factor,” on the rising success of Garth Brooks. Pat Benatar would also mention Patsi on the Oprah Winfrey Show while promoting her book.

Those that met Patsi, like me, knew that she was one of a kind. She was full of spunk but valued her friendships alongside her family. Friends both in and out of Nashville will remember Patsi Bale Cox for her wit and wisdom, along with determination to get things done. In fact, she was working on a biography with Kenny Rogers at the time of her passing.

The history of country music will be harder to write without Patsi Bale Cox. However, she gave the importance of keeping the memories alive and for the music community; her memory will be kept alive.