Jimmy Ray McBride, 78, of Hazel Green, passed away on Wednesday, January 07, 2026.

Jim McBride was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a friend, and a confidant. He was kind, loving, funny, and compassionate. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, he was the epitome of three chords and the truth. He was a mentor who wrote with more than his fair share of young songwriters who had the same dream he had many years before.

Jimmy Ray McBride was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on April 28, 1947. He was a proud graduate of Lee High School. Jim was a dreamer who showed everyone that dreams can come true. He loved travel and adventure. He had a deep love of baseball, especially for his St. Louis Cardinals. He loved life and believed experiences and time spent with family and loved ones far exceeded material things.

He was loved by many. But none more than his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jeanne Ivey McBride; his two sons, Brent McBride (Leann) and Wes McBride (Laura Lockhart); his stepdaughter, Amy Rawlinson (Scott); his granddaughter, Kinsey McBride; three step grandchildren, Cameron Widman (Jack), Lizzie Rawlinson, and Ben Rawlinson; his sister, Teresa McBride Portzer (Layne), two nephews, Daniel Prince (Nicole) and Joseph Prince (Michelle), along with great nephews, a great niece, numerous cousins and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Alvin McBride, and his mother, Helen Hillis McBride.

Per his wishes, there will be a small graveside service for immediate family only. There will be a Celebration of Life in the coming weeks, where the family would love for everyone to come help them celebrate Jim's life and legacy. Details will be made available as soon as they are finalized.

A private graveside will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following organizations:

https://www.musichealthalliance.com/donate-to-heal-the-music/

https://nashvillemusicians.org/donate-here-plus-assistance-info-musicians

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.