Jelly Roll Fulfills A Grandmother’s Dying Wish

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Courtesy of News Channel 5 Nashville

Jelly Roll grants a dying wish to a terminally ill woman who says, “He [Jelly Roll] made me feel like I was so special.”

Sharon Brown, a grandmother with a gentle demeanor from Columbia, Tennessee, may not fit the stereotype of a typical Jelly Roll enthusiast, but she is!

Jelly Roll’s music revolves around confronting challenges and adversity, and these themes have strongly connected with Brown’s story in recent years.

As per a News Channel 5 WTVF report from Nashville, Sharon Brown is facing a terminal illness, finding solace in the singer’s music amid a series of worsening health issues and challenges.

“She had an aneurysm which caused early onset dementia. She also has renal failure, and she has chosen not to do dialysis. It’s a lot. It’s a lot for her,” Brown’s daughter Melissa explains.

During this time, Jelly Roll’s music about living with struggles has helped Brown immensely.

“This one I got for Christmas,” Sharon Brown shared, showing the Jelly Roll hoodie she was wearing. “Jelly Roll! I adore him.”

Sharon Brown with her Jelly Roll sweatshirt she got for Christmas.
Sharon Brown in her Jelly Roll sweatshirt. Courtesy of News Channel 5 Nashville

Sharon mentioned that others are surprised by her fandom of the singer.

“I think they’re shocked because of my age and my white hair,” she said.

Brown even persuaded her daughter Melissa and granddaughter Naveah to get matching “bad apple” tattoos as a tribute to Jelly Roll.

Sharon Brown and her daughter Melissa (R) and granddaughter Naveah (L).
Sharon Brown and her daughter Melissa (R) and granddaughter Naveah (L). Courtesy of News Channel 5 Nashville

The singer is a native of Antioch, Tennessee — not far from Brown’s hometown — so Melissa went a step further, driving her mother to Antioch to visit the church where Jelly Roll spent his childhood. This location is now featured on one of his album covers. These outings hold profound significance for Melissa, especially considering the challenges her mother has faced over the past two years.

Sharon Brown at the Whitsitt Chapel in Antioch, Tennessee.
Sharon Brown at the Whitsitt Chapel in Antioch, Tennessee. Courtesy of News Channel 5 Nashville

 

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In late 2023, Melissa and Brown attended one of Jelly’s nearby toy drive concerts. During the event, Melissa took the initiative to fulfill her mother’s ultimate wish: to meet the man himself.

Fun fact: In December, Jelly Roll made it his mission to create the “biggest toy drive in Nashville history.”

RELATED: Jelly Roll Follows Through On Promise, Delivers Semi Truck Full Of Toys To Nashville Children

As narrated in the news segment, Melissa details how she approached a crew member who was open to hearing Brown’s story and assisted them in arranging a backstage meeting.

“I explained her situation and said her dying wish, her No. 1 on her bucket list, was to meet Jelly Roll,” she recounts.

Was it possible for Melissa and the crew member to collaborate and arrange the meeting between Brown and Jelly Roll? Sure enough, they made it happen!

“He gave me so many hugs,” Brown remembers. “He made me feel like I was so special. He told me I only looked 50!”

Jelly Roll poses with Sharon Brown's family.
Jelly Roll poses with Sharon Brown’s family. Courtesy of News Channel 5 Nashville

“It was just an incredible experience to do that with my mom,” Melissa said. “It will be a day to remember for the rest of our lives.”

One thing remains certain: Jelly Roll consistently proves himself to be a kind-hearted individual and a man of deep faith, demonstrating his genuine care and compassion towards his fans.

Jelly is renowned for surpassing expectations in building meaningful connections with his fans. Whether meeting individuals battling terminal illnesses or staging special performances in prisons and rehab centers, he consistently ensures that his stardom is accompanied by a commitment to giving back.

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About the Author

Manly Bryant

Throughout his over a decade-long career at Country Rebel, Manly Bryant has written thousands of articles, managed countless social media posts, connected with many country music stars in person, and documented many of the most iconic moments in country music history. Whether he’s covering a sold-out stadium show or spotlighting an up-and-coming artist, Manly brings…

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