News

Actions

KCMO woman battling terminal illness gets wish and meets country music star Josh Turner

Posted at 9:35 PM, Mar 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-25 17:28:08-04

A 76-year-old woman battling a terminal illness had a wish come true on Thursday night when she got to meet country music star Josh Turner.

Turner held a concert at ?Uptown Theater, and among the fans in the crowd was Kay Ray.

Ray came dressed with a shirt reading "Kay Loves ?Josh Turner," and said she was excited for the moment to meet him.

"'Long Black Train' is my favorite song that he sings," she said. "I think he's cute too."

The special meet-and-greet was put together by the Gift of a Day program and the Crossroads Hospice. 

Kay Ray

Several hospice caregivers came with Ray on Thursday and knew the moment she met Turner would be special to witness.

"She's been talking about this for over a month now," explained hospice caregiver Melissa Mueller. "For her tonight, it's just one of a high point that she gets to experience." 

While the meet-and-greet between Turner and Ray was closed off to cameras, the group came out smiling afterwards.

"He gave me butterflies," Ray said. "It was fantastic. It was like a dream come true."

Thursday night provided memories for the group, and an experience for Ray close to her heart.

"To see her face and her expression when he came out, that's what makes it all worthwhile," explained Tracy Bunch of Crossroads Hospice.

Bunch told 41 Action News that Turner talked about Ray on stage during the concert and dedicated a song to her.

The song?

"Long Black Train," her favorite.