Introduction
Visiting the Final Resting Place of Country Music Legend Conway Twitty in Gallatin, Tennessee
Hello everyone. Today, I had the chance to visit a small cemetery located in Gallatin, Tennessee — not far from Nashville and close to the Kentucky border. It’s a peaceful place with very few visitors, and up until now, I hadn’t seen another car come by. But what makes this quiet cemetery special is the fact that one of country music’s biggest legends rests here — Conway Twitty.
His real name was Harold Lloyd Jenkins, and I believe he was buried under that name. He may be inside the mausoleum behind me — let’s find out together.
If you’ve ever heard the line “Hello Darling, nice to see you…”, then you’ll immediately recognize that deep, emotional voice — unmistakably Conway Twitty. Personally, I only visit the graves of those I feel some kind of connection to, or at least those I remember and have memories of. And Conway Twitty holds a special place in my childhood. His music played often on our family trips — along with the likes of Johnny Cash and the Oak Ridge Boys — thanks to my parents’ love of country and ‘50s music.
He was born in Friars Point, Mississippi in 1933 and passed away in Springfield, Missouri in 1993 while on tour, due to an abdominal aneurysm. He had served in the Korean War before moving to Memphis to pursue a rockabilly career. His breakout hit was It’s Only Make Believe, and he even appeared in several teen films at the time.
Although he started with rockabilly, his true love was always country music. When his early fame began to fade in the ‘60s, he reinvented himself with a new band — first “The Lonely Blue Boys,” later renamed “The Twitty Birds.” He went on to achieve over 50 number-one hits on the country charts. Some of his most famous songs include Tight Fittin’ Jeans, You’ve Never Been This Far Before, and of course, Hello Darling.
He also had a legendary musical partnership with Loretta Lynn, with whom he recorded a series of successful duets, including Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man and After the Fire Is Gone, which won them a Grammy.
The name “Conway Twitty” itself is a blend of two towns — Conway, Arkansas, and Twitty, Texas — a unique and memorable stage name.
I had previously visited Twitty City, his former home and tourist attraction in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Today, I’m back to find his grave. After searching around the mausoleum, I finally came across the name Harold L. Jenkins. Beneath that name is a small plaque recognizing him as “Conway Twitty – The Great Entertainer,” placed by the Elvis Pink Cadillac Fan Club. The grave is adorned with flowers and lovingly maintained.
Next to him is the grave of his wife, Dolores — who, as of now, is still alive — and a plot reserved for his son Michael, as well as (presumably) his wife April. Michael was the son from Conway’s first marriage to Ellen.
I left a small stone on his grave — following a Jewish tradition — as a sign of remembrance. This cemetery is quiet and serene, and it feels meaningful to stand before a man who helped shape American country music.
Conway Twitty passed away at just 59 years old — still young by many standards. But the legacy he left behind — the music, the memories, the influence — is priceless.
If you ever find yourself in Gallatin, make the time to visit. Head straight to the mausoleum, walk along the side wall, and you’ll find his name — unmistakable and eternal.
Rest in peace, Conway. And thank you for the music.