George Jones' death has sent millions of country music fans searching through old photographs and memories to revisit a time when they fell under the spell of the Possum.

The 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' hitmaker -- who died at age 81 on April 26 -- left a mark on every pair of ears his whiskey-smooth voice touched, and there's no denying country music is better for it.

We asked fans to email or tweet their favorite memories of Jones. We've collected those heartwarming stories to share with you. Fans young and old have a common bond with a good story of Jones from his early days, prime or later years. His legacy will live forever. His music is timeless.

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Allan: I woke up to the sad news this morning that one of the greatest country music legends, George Jones, had passed. I grew up playing all of George Jones’ music. When I started playing bars with my Dad at the age of 12, I sang all his hits, trying to imitate the heartache in his voice. My all-time favorite Jones song was “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” He was a true legend and no one will ever fill his shoes.

Kelly Daniel from Nashville: My father was a HUGE George Jones fan. I will never forget watching the CMA Awards with him when I was a kid and seeing how excited he was when George won an award. When I started working in the music industry and I met Bobby Braddock, the man that co-wrote "He Stopped Loving Her Today," my mom told me that if my dad were alive, he would have been giddy! So I know that he was right in the front of the line for the meet and greet when George walked through the pearly gates!

Kyle Jennings: The first time I ever got to go backstage at the Opry George Jones was billed to perform that night ... When they announced his name I was standing side stage in front of Marty Stewart and many others. He walked up to the mic and opened his mouth and with that unmistakable sound cried out, "He said I'll love you 'til I die." The crowd roared and a chill shot through my whole body and I just stood there in awe. Half way through the song there was a tug at my sleeve. When I looked down there was a young boy not older than 5 or so. I said, "Hi there!" He said, "What song is this?" I replied "Oh man, this is 'He Stopped Loving Her Today,' this is the greatest country song of all time." He said, "Oh, I don't really like this song that much. My mom Georgette likes it though." I smiled and looked at him ... then I looked out at George ... and then looked back and said "Is that your grandpa out there singing?" He said, "Yep" and blasted off from my leg with his superhero action figure and he was gone. I'll never forget that night. Not only the magnitude of the performance by one of my biggest music idols, but the carefree matter-of-fact nature of a boy who didn't care what George did or what he was, he was just grandpa. God Bless the Jones family.

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