Little Jimmy Dickens, Country icon and Grand Ole Opry member, dies at 94

Country music icon Little Jimmy Dickens, who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry as recently as Dec. 20, died on Friday. He was 94 years old.

In a statement, the Opry confirmed that Dickens died of cardiac arrest after he had a stroke on Christmas Day. He gave his final Opry performance just five days earlier to mark his 94th birthday on Dec. 19.

Dickens, who stood just 4-foot-11, was the longest tenured member of the Opry, having been a member since 1948. He was widely known for his sense of humor and often called himself a “Mickey Mouse in pajamas” and “Willie Nelson after taxes,” notes USA Today.

His first hit came in 1948 with “Take an Old Cold ‘Tater (And Wait).” Other hits include “Country Boy,” “A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed,” “I’m Little But I’m Loud,” “Out Behind the Barn” and his only No. 1 single, “May The Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”

“The Grand Ole Opry did not have a better friend than Little Jimmy Dickens,” Pete Fisher, Opry Vice President & General Manager, said in a statement. “He loved the audience and his Opry family, and all of us loved him back. He was a one-of-kind entertainer and a great soul whose spirit will live on for years to come."

Dickens also became friends with younger Opry members, including Brad Paisley, who penned an emotional tribute to him on Twitter.

“Do not mourn Little Jim. Celebrate him,” Paisley wrote. “Relive and share the memories. Aspire to be like him. And above all, laugh at the punchlines, the craziness, and the way he so gracefully made this planet a funnier, better, richer place while he was alive. And in doing so, will continue to for years to come.”

Dickens is survived by his wife, Mona, and two daughters, Pamela Detert and Lisa King.

image of Little Jimmy Dickens with Brad Paisley courtesy of Ruben Luevano/INFGoff.com