Nettie "Jeanie" Oakley's Obituary
Nettie “Jeanie” Oakley, 90, of Nashville, passed away following a long illness on Monday, March 13, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Oakley, Jr., parents, Felix and Lula Myrtle Bracey, sister Camilla Rediker and brother, Wayne Bracey as well as son-in-law Rod Weaver.
She is survived by her two children, Diane Weaver and Mark Hughes and his wife Kay and grandson, Dustin Weaver. Also survived by stepchildren, Frank Oakley III., and Rod Oakley (Joyce), and three loving sisters, Betty Simmons, Faye Davis, and Carolyn Wyatt along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Jeanie Oakley was a native of Ashland City but moved to Nashville at an early age. She began working as a secretary at RIC records in Nashville where she worked with and formed long lasting friendships with Mel Tillis and many others in the country music industry.
In the early 1970’s she opened “Jeanie’s Custom Frames”, a picture framing business in Madison, TN along with husband Frank. “Jeanie’s Frames” became the go-to place if you wanted great picture framing in a fun, friendly and family run business.
Due to her tireless work ethic and great personality, she soon built a following of repeat customers which included many country music artists like Willie Nelson, Faron Young, Web Pierce, Jeanie Seely, Johnny Cash and many others. These people became not only her loyal customers but great friends as well.
In July of 1979, the business took a dramatic turn when Jeanie, husband Frank and Willie Nelson decided to create a business together called the “Willie Nelson General Store”. They came up with the idea to help meet the demands of fans by creating a destination in Nashville where fans could learn more about Willie and his rapidly blossoming career.
And the “General Store” was anything but your normal retail store catering to tourists. After all, where else could you purchase a Willie Nelson t-shirt while watching Armadillo races or stop in and join the gang during of one of the infamous (and probably not legal) “Bloody Mary Mornings”? Read more of the colorful store history click here and you’ll see what I mean.
As the business grew, Jeanie and Frank continued building long lasting relationships with fans, artists, and anyone else interested in the history of country music.
In the early 1980’s the original building in Madison was sold and the business went “On the Road Again” with multiple stops including downtown Nashville, Twitty City in Hendersonville, Branson, Missouri and finally to its current location in the Opryland Music Valley area.
Although Jeanie took a step back from the business several years ago for some much-deserved rest, her spirit is always there making sure everyone who enters feels welcome and has a great experience.
The family cordially invites relatives and friends to a time of sharing on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from eleven o’clock in the morning until the time of the funeral service at two o’clock in the afternoon. Services will be held at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road in Nashville. The service will be presided over by Reverend Paul Tucker. The committal service will immediately follow.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brush Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in honor of Jeanie Oakley.
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