Posted in Virginia History December 15, 2021 by

One Of Country Music’s Most Influential Singers, Patsy Cline Is Buried In Rural Virginia

Virginia’s country music roots run deep. In fact, the town of Bristol is known as the birthplace of country music. One of country music’s most famous stars, Patsy Cline is buried in rural Virginia near downtown Winchester. And while many of her ties are to Tennessee and Nashville, the star was actually born in the Old Dominion and even launched her career here. You can visit her gravesite today when you tour Shenandoah Memorial Park. Here’s a little more about the life of Patsy Cline and her connection to Virginia.

Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932, Patsy Cline grew up in various towns throughout Virginia.
Wikicommons
Her family moved around as her father tried to find work as a blacksmith in Elkton, Staunton, and Norfolk. Eventually, they settled in Winchester. Photographed above is the house where she lived from age 16 to 21.
At age 13, Cline was hospitalized with a bad throat infection and rheumatic fever. Recovering from the fever, she noticed that her voice had changed, and suddenly she was able to sing like never before.
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She auditioned to perform at a local radio station, WINC in Winchester, and it didn't take long before her talent was recognized.
In 1954, she signed a deal with Four Star Records, and her first professional recording session took place in Nashville.
The Patsy Cline Museum / Facebook
Cline didn't see much sucess with this first record label. Her first hit, "Walkin' After Midnight," would not be performed for another three years.
She remarried a man by the name of Charlie Dick before moving full-time to Nashville. By 1960, she was performing regularly at the Grand Ole Opry. Signing with Decca Records that same year, she soon released one of her most famous hits, "I Fall to Pieces."
The Patsy Cline Museum / Facebook
During the height of her career, the star was tragically killed in a plane accident after performing at a benefit at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Kansas City in March of 1963 at just 30 years old.
John Hall / Google
Despite being taken from the world far too soon, her impact on the genre of country music, as well as music in general, has never faded. In 1973, Patsy Cline was the first female solo artist elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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You can visit her gravesite today at Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester. On her marker, it reads "Death Cannot Kill What Never Dies: Love."
Rosa Bautista / Google

Did you know that Patsy Cline was buried in rural Winchester, Virginia? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you.

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Address: Shenandoah Memorial Park, 1270 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA 22602, USA