Penny Jackson, also known as Penny Jackson Ragsdale, was an American woman best known as the wife of Grammy-winning country music singer and comedian Ray Stevens. Born on November 2, 1943, in Elkin, North Carolina, she married Stevens on March 30, 1961. Their marriage lasted more than 60 years, during which they raised two daughters and built a family life in Nashville, Tennessee. Penny remained largely outside the entertainment spotlight, although she occasionally accompanied her husband to important music events. She died on December 31, 2021, at age 78, following a prolonged battle with cancer. Readers can learn more about her husband’s career through Ray Stevens’ Wikipedia biography.
This biography covers Penny Jackson Ragsdale, the wife of Ray Stevens, rather than the playwright or other people who share the name Penny Jackson.
Quick Bio: Penny Jackson
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Penny Jackson Ragsdale |
| Birth name | Penny Jackson |
| Date of birth | November 2, 1943 |
| Birthplace | Elkin, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Age at death | 78 years |
| Date of death | December 31, 2021 |
| Place of death | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Husband | Ray Stevens (Harold Ray Ragsdale) |
| Marriage date | March 30, 1961 |
| Marriage duration | More than 60 years |
| Children | Two daughters, Suzi and Timi |
| Grandchildren | Four |
| Great-grandchildren | Two |
| Known for | Wife of country music star Ray Stevens |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Net worth | Not independently verified |
Penny’s birth, marriage, and family details are recorded in her funeral-home obituary and contemporary music-industry reporting.
Who Was Penny Jackson?
Penny Jackson was the longtime wife of Ray Stevens, one of America’s most recognizable country and comedy music performers.
Although her husband became famous for songs such as Everything Is Beautiful, The Streak, and Misty, Penny generally preferred a quieter life.
She married Ray before he reached the height of his commercial success.
The couple experienced the changing music industry together, from early recordings and television appearances to major awards and Nashville performances.
Penny was also the mother of their two daughters, Suzi and Timi.
Her family remembered her for her dedication to her children and grandchildren.
Unlike many celebrity spouses, she did not develop a separate public entertainment career.
Penny Jackson’s Early Life
Penny Jackson was born on November 2, 1943, in Elkin, North Carolina.
She spent her early years in the American South.
Her family background is not extensively documented in national entertainment publications.
However, her obituary records an important move in her young adulthood.
In 1960, Penny relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to be with her sister, Twinkle.
This move became a turning point in her life because she soon married the young musician who would become famous as Ray Stevens.
Where Was Penny Jackson Born?
Penny was born in Elkin, North Carolina, United States.
When Was Penny Jackson Born?
She was born on November 2, 1943.
How Old Was Penny Jackson When She Died?
Penny was 78 years old when she died on December 31, 2021.
Penny Jackson’s Family Background
Penny grew up before Ray Stevens became a major figure in American entertainment.
Unlike her husband’s musical career, her childhood and family history were not widely covered by newspapers and television programs.
Her obituary identifies a sister named Twinkle, whom Penny joined in Atlanta in 1960.
Reliable information about her parents, other siblings, and formal education is limited.
For that reason, specific claims about her childhood schools or family wealth should be treated cautiously.
How Did Penny Jackson Meet Ray Stevens?
Penny’s relationship with Ray Stevens developed during the early period of his music career.
She moved to Atlanta in 1960, when Ray was also connected to the city’s developing music industry.
The couple married the following year.
Their exact first meeting and early courtship have not been fully documented in dependable public sources.
What is clear is that their marriage began before Ray achieved many of his best-known successes.
When Did Penny Jackson Marry Ray Stevens?
Penny married Ray Stevens on March 30, 1961.
At the time, Ray was 22 years old, and Penny was 17.
Their marriage lasted until Penny’s death in 2021.
Who Is Ray Stevens?
Ray Stevens was born Harold Ray Ragsdale on January 24, 1939, in Clarkdale, Georgia.
He became a successful American singer, songwriter, comedian, musician, arranger, and producer.
His music combined humor, storytelling, country influences, and popular melodies.
Ray began developing his musical skills as a child.
He studied piano and learned several instruments before beginning his recording career.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, he established connections with recording companies and music professionals.
His career eventually included major chart hits, television appearances, Grammy Awards, and membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Ray Stevens’ Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1939 | Born in Clarkdale, Georgia |
| 1950s | Began recording music |
| 1961 | Married Penny Jackson |
| 1962 | Moved to Nashville with his family |
| 1962 | Released the hit Ahab the Arab |
| 1969 | Achieved success with Gitarzan |
| 1970 | Released Everything Is Beautiful |
| 1971 | Won a Grammy for Everything Is Beautiful |
| 1974 | Released The Streak |
| 1975 | Recorded his popular version of Misty |
| 1976 | Won another Grammy for Misty |
| 2018 | Opened the CabaRay Showroom in Nashville |
| 2019 | Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame |
| 2021 | Lost his wife, Penny Jackson |
Ray’s career and major musical achievements are documented by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Penny Jackson and Ray Stevens’ Marriage
Penny and Ray married in March 1961.
Their relationship continued for more than six decades.
During those years, Ray developed from an aspiring musician into an internationally recognized performer.
Penny experienced the demands of the entertainment industry alongside him.
These included recording sessions, performances, travel, and public appearances.
However, the couple also focused on raising their children.
Their marriage became one of the longest-lasting relationships associated with country music.
How Long Were Penny and Ray Married?
They married on March 30, 1961, and Penny died on December 31, 2021.
Their marriage lasted approximately 60 years and nine months.
Was Penny Jackson Ray Stevens’ Only Wife?
Penny was Ray Stevens’ longtime wife, and no other marriage is widely documented in reliable accounts of his life.
Penny Jackson’s Move to Nashville
One of the most important moments in Penny’s married life came in January 1962.
She and Ray moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with their young daughter.
At the time, Nashville was already becoming a major center of American country music.
Ray was working to establish himself as a recording artist.
The move placed the family closer to important music companies, recording studios, and industry professionals.
According to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ray arrived in Nashville on January 2, 1962.
Within weeks, he recorded Ahab the Arab, one of his early commercial successes.
Penny was part of the family during this major transition.
Penny Jackson’s Children
Penny and Ray Stevens had two daughters together.
Their names are Suzi Ragsdale and Timi Jones.
Both grew up with a father whose music was becoming increasingly popular.
Penny’s obituary emphasizes her dedication to helping her daughters enjoy a normal family life despite their father’s fame.
Who Is Suzi Ragsdale?
Suzi Ragsdale is one of Penny and Ray Stevens’ daughters.
She has pursued music and songwriting, continuing the family’s connection to entertainment.
However, she has developed her own artistic identity rather than simply following her father’s comedy music style.
Who Is Timi Jones?
Timi Jones is Penny and Ray’s other daughter.
She has generally maintained a more private public profile.
She was among the family members who survived Penny following her death in 2021.
Penny Jackson’s Grandchildren
Penny was a grandmother to four grandchildren.
She also had two great-grandchildren.
Her obituary describes her as deeply interested in her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments.
This detail provides a more personal picture of her life beyond being married to a famous singer.
Although Ray’s professional achievements brought the family national recognition, Penny’s family relationships remained central to her life.
Penny Jackson and Ray Stevens’ Music Career
Penny was married to Ray throughout the years when he recorded his most famous songs.
She witnessed his success with humorous recordings and more serious musical performances.
His work appealed to different audiences because he could move between comedy and traditional music.
Penny’s connection to his career was not limited to attending concerts.
She also represented him at an important award ceremony.
Penny Jackson Accepted Ray Stevens’ Grammy
One particularly meaningful event occurred when Ray received a Grammy for Everything Is Beautiful.
Ray was performing in Australia and could not attend the ceremony in New York.
Penny accepted the award on his behalf.
This detail is documented in her obituary and shows that she occasionally took part in important professional moments in his career.
Penny Jackson and Everything Is Beautiful
One of Ray Stevens’ most successful songs was Everything Is Beautiful, released in 1970.
The recording became a major pop hit and won a Grammy Award.
Its message focused on acceptance, kindness, and recognizing the value of different people.
The song represented a more serious side of Ray’s musical career.
Penny was part of his life when the recording became successful.
Her appearance at the Grammy ceremony on his behalf remains one of the clearest examples of her public involvement in his career.
Penny Jackson and The Streak
Ray released The Streak in 1974.
The humorous song became an international hit.
It reflected the streaking trend that attracted public attention during the 1970s.
The recording reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
By that time, Penny and Ray had been married for more than a decade.
Their family had experienced his rise from an emerging recording artist to an established entertainment personality.
Penny Jackson’s Life Away From Fame
Although Ray Stevens became a household name, Penny generally stayed outside celebrity publicity.
She did not regularly appear on television to discuss her personal life.
Her obituary describes her commitment to giving her daughters a childhood that was not dominated by their father’s fame.
This was particularly important because Ray’s career involved performances, recordings, and extensive professional responsibilities.
Penny’s private life included raising children and maintaining family relationships.
Her experiences illustrate how families connected to the entertainment industry can remain largely outside public attention.
Penny Jackson at the Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2019, Ray Stevens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
This recognition celebrated his contributions to American music over several decades.
Penny attended the induction ceremony with her husband.
Photographs from the event show the couple together at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
The occasion became one of their notable public appearances during the later years of their marriage.
Ray’s induction recognized his work as a singer, songwriter, producer, and musician.
Penny Jackson’s Final Years
Penny spent her later years in Nashville with Ray and their extended family.
During this period, Ray continued performing and working on musical projects.
He also operated the CabaRay Showroom, a Nashville entertainment venue.
However, Penny experienced serious health problems.
She underwent a prolonged battle with cancer.
Her illness was not extensively discussed in public until her condition became critical near the end of 2021.
What Illness Did Penny Jackson Have?
Penny had cancer.
Public announcements described a prolonged illness, but the precise type of cancer was not consistently identified in reliable reporting.
It would therefore be inappropriate to state a specific diagnosis without confirmation.
Ray Stevens Canceled His New Year’s Eve Concert
In December 2021, Ray Stevens was scheduled to perform at his CabaRay venue.
However, Penny’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
On December 29, Ray’s representatives announced that he would cancel his New Year’s Eve performance.
The announcement explained that Penny had reached the final stage of her illness and that Ray wanted to focus on her.
The cancellation received coverage from country music publications.
It also revealed the seriousness of Penny’s condition shortly before her death.
Penny Jackson’s Death on December 31, 2021
Penny Jackson Ragsdale died on December 31, 2021, at her home in Nashville, Tennessee.
She was 78 years old.
Her death followed a prolonged battle with cancer.
She died shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The news was announced publicly in early January 2022.
Music publications reported that Ray and the family were mourning her loss.
Penny was survived by her husband, two daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Where Did Penny Jackson Die?
She died at the family home in Nashville, Tennessee.
How Old Was Penny Jackson When She Died?
She was 78 years old.
What Caused Penny Jackson’s Death?
She died following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Penny Jackson’s Funeral and Memorial Service
Penny’s memorial service was scheduled for January 11, 2022.
The service took place at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home in Nashville.
Family members and friends had the opportunity to remember her life.
The memorial followed a marriage that had lasted more than 60 years.
For Ray Stevens, her death marked the end of a relationship that had begun before his major musical successes.
Ray Stevens’ Life After Penny’s Death
Following Penny’s death, Ray continued to be recognized for his long entertainment career.
He remained associated with Nashville, music recordings, and the CabaRay venue.
In 2025, he experienced significant health problems, including a heart attack that required hospital treatment.
Later reporting also discussed his decision to slow down some professional activities.
However, Penny’s death remained an important event in his personal history.
The couple had shared more than six decades of marriage, children, grandchildren, and major life changes.
Penny Jackson’s Net Worth
Penny Jackson’s personal net worth was never independently verified.
Her husband enjoyed considerable professional success through music recordings, publishing, performances, and entertainment ventures.
However, Ray’s career earnings do not establish Penny’s individual wealth.
Detailed information about her personal assets, income, and estate was not publicly available.
Specific figures published by celebrity biography websites should therefore be treated cautiously.
Penny Jackson’s Life Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1943 | Born in Elkin, North Carolina |
| 1960 | Moved to Atlanta to be near her sister Twinkle |
| 1961 | Married Ray Stevens on March 30 |
| 1962 | Moved to Nashville with Ray and their young daughter |
| 1970 | Ray released Everything Is Beautiful |
| 1971 | Accepted Ray’s Grammy on his behalf |
| 1974 | Ray released The Streak |
| 1975 | Ray recorded his popular version of Misty |
| 2018 | Ray opened the CabaRay Showroom |
| 2019 | Attended Ray’s Country Music Hall of Fame induction |
| December 29, 2021 | Ray canceled a concert because of her illness |
| December 31, 2021 | Died in Nashville at age 78 |
| January 11, 2022 | Memorial service held in Nashville |
Interesting Facts About Penny Jackson
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Penny’s full married name was Penny Jackson Ragsdale.
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She was born in North Carolina in 1943.
-
She moved to Atlanta in 1960.
-
Her sister was known as Twinkle.
-
She married Ray Stevens when she was 17.
-
Ray Stevens’ birth name is Harold Ray Ragsdale.
-
Penny and Ray moved to Nashville in 1962.
-
Their marriage lasted more than 60 years.
-
They raised two daughters, Suzi and Timi.
-
Penny accepted a Grammy Award on Ray’s behalf.
-
She attended his Country Music Hall of Fame induction in 2019.
-
She had four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
-
She died on New Year’s Eve in 2021.
-
Her cause of death was cancer.
Common Misconceptions About Penny Jackson
| Common claim | Accurate information |
|---|---|
| Penny Jackson was a country singer | She was primarily known as Ray Stevens’ wife |
| Ray Stevens’ real surname is Stevens | His birth surname is Ragsdale |
| Penny and Ray were married for only a few years | Their marriage lasted over 60 years |
| They had no children | They had two daughters |
| Penny died in 2022 | She died on December 31, 2021 |
| Penny was 80 when she died | She was 78 |
| Penny died in North Carolina | She died in Nashville, Tennessee |
| Her personal net worth is publicly confirmed | No verified figure is available |
Why Penny Jackson’s Story Matters
Penny Jackson’s life is connected to an important chapter of American country music history.
She married Ray Stevens before he became a nationally recognized performer.
Their relationship continued through his early recordings, major hits, Grammy Awards, and eventual induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Although Penny did not pursue a highly public career, she was present during many of the important moments in Ray’s personal and professional life.
Her obituary also highlights her dedication to family.
She wanted her children to enjoy a normal upbringing despite their father’s fame.
Her story provides a family perspective on the life of a performer whose career spanned more than six decades.
Final Thoughts
Penny Jackson Ragsdale was born on November 2, 1943, in Elkin, North Carolina.
She married Ray Stevens on March 30, 1961, and remained his wife for more than 60 years.
Together, they raised two daughters and built a family life in Nashville.
Penny occasionally participated in important moments in Ray’s music career, including accepting his Grammy Award and attending his Country Music Hall of Fame induction.
She died on December 31, 2021, at age 78 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Although she generally avoided the spotlight, Penny remains an important part of Ray Stevens’ family history and personal story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penny Jackson
1. Who was Penny Jackson?
Penny Jackson was an American woman best known as the longtime wife of country music singer Ray Stevens.
2. What was Penny Jackson’s full name?
Her married name was Penny Jackson Ragsdale.
3. When was Penny Jackson born?
She was born on November 2, 1943.
4. Where was Penny Jackson born?
She was born in Elkin, North Carolina.
5. Who was Penny Jackson’s husband?
Her husband was Ray Stevens, the Grammy-winning singer and comedian.
6. What is Ray Stevens’ real name?
His birth name is Harold Ray Ragsdale.
7. When did Penny Jackson marry Ray Stevens?
They married on March 30, 1961.
8. How long were Penny and Ray Stevens married?
They were married for approximately 60 years and nine months.
9. How old was Penny when she married Ray?
She was 17 years old.
10. Did Penny Jackson have children?
Yes. She had two daughters.
11. What were Penny Jackson’s daughters’ names?
Their names are Suzi and Timi.
12. How many grandchildren did Penny Jackson have?
She had four grandchildren.
13. Did Penny Jackson have great-grandchildren?
Yes. She had two great-grandchildren.
14. Was Penny Jackson a singer?
She was not widely known for a professional singing career.
15. Did Penny Jackson attend the Grammy Awards?
Yes. She accepted Ray Stevens’ Grammy for Everything Is Beautiful because he was performing in Australia.
16. Did Penny Jackson live in Nashville?
Yes. She and Ray moved to Nashville in 1962.
17. When did Penny Jackson die?
She died on December 31, 2021.
18. How old was Penny Jackson when she died?
She was 78 years old.
19. What was Penny Jackson’s cause of death?
She died after a prolonged battle with cancer.
20. Where did Penny Jackson die?
She died at her Nashville home.
21. When was Penny Jackson’s memorial service?
Her memorial service was held on January 11, 2022.
22. Was Penny Jackson at Ray Stevens’ Hall of Fame induction?
Yes. She attended the 2019 ceremony.
23. What was Penny Jackson’s net worth?
Her personal net worth was not independently verified.
24. Is Penny Jackson alive in 2026?
No. She died in 2021.
25. Why is Penny Jackson remembered?
She is remembered for her long marriage to Ray Stevens, her family life, and her presence during important moments in his music career.
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