Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO recently showed their generous hearts by granting a dying cancer patient her last wish.
Suzanne Durham of Nashville, Tenn., is fighting for her life. The 56-year-old woman has been battling Stage 4 Small Cell Carcinoma. She has been given less than six months to live, as confirmed to Music Mayhem by Durham’s daughter Whitney.
Granted 56-Year-Old Suzanne’s Dying Wish
In a video posted on TikTok, Durham, a former house manager and recovering drug and alcohol addict, shared her unfortunate diagnosis. She also revealed her dream of meeting and having dinner with Jelly Roll.
“First time I went to the doctor before this last time, he told me that the cancer was untreatable. And I’m just having a really hard time. [The doctor], he said [I have] five months. But the way that I’ve been feeling, [I feel like it could be sooner],” Durham shared through tears in a clip posted by the James Bess Foundation.
On a more light-hearted note, Durham said, “On my personal level, I want to see and meet Jelly Roll. I’d like to go to his concert. I’d like to meet him for dinner before or after the concert. It would be awesome.”
An Experience Suzanne Will Cherish Forever
On Monday (July 17), Durham’s wishes came true. She got to spend quality time with Jelly Roll in what she now considers an unforgettable experience that she will cherish forever.
“What a night. It was the best night ever. Jelly and Bunnie are the most humble people I’ve ever met,” Suzanne told Music Mayhem.
Arranged by the James Bess Foundation, the special meet-and-greet took place at Life Church in Nashville and included a photo session and a private concert, where Jelly Roll was joined by his guitarist Alex Mark Howard.
Jelly Roll Performed A Private Concert And Met Suzanne In Nashville
Along with serenading Durham with songs, including a string of covers and hits like “Son Of A Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO had dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.
“We had a meet and greet with Jelly and Bunnie for about 10–15 minutes. The foundation had snacks for people to eat, and then Jelly performed for about 20–30 minutes!” Whitney shared. “Mom did make the comment that it was the best night of her life, and she would remember it forever!”
During the evening, Jelly Roll took a moment to share his gratitude for meeting with his adoring fan.
“I’m glad I could come to visit you. This is cool, and I’m glad you had some friends come too. I was coming to you if you were by yourself in a bed… I got choked up earlier not about her situation but because I was able to serve a woman who spent her life serving,” he said. “Somebody who came out of the situation you came out of and turned her life around and immediately found purpose helping people who were in that same situation.”
Suzanne Appreciates Jelly Roll’s Story Of “Recovery And Redemption”
Durham’s daughter Whitney shared that Suzanne wanted to meet Jelly Roll because of his story of “recovery and redemption.”
“Jelly Roll and Bunnie agreeing to meet with mom meant the world to us. Mom said when my brother and him went to his Nashville concert it was the best concert ever – they left in tears!” she explained, referencing Jelly Roll’s record-breaking Bridgestone Arena concert. “Last night, Jelly and Bunnie warmed our hearts by loving mom,us, and her friends like they have always known us. Their hearts are truly one of a kind and we will be forever grateful for their compassion and kindness they showed toward mom!”
Bunnie XO Walked Away With A Newfound Meaning On Life
In a heartwarming twist, Bunnie XO also shared words of her own. She took to Facebook to say that while she and Jelly Roll granted Durham’s final wish, they also walked away with a gift of their own – a deeper and more meaningful perspective on what is important in life.
“We went, and spent some time with [Suzanne] today. When I tell you it was Chicken Soup for the Soul and everything I needed at that moment, God works in mysterious ways because just seeing this woman that has been given, I believe, five months to live, who has spent her entire life trying to help other people, even her last dying wish, she wanted her friends to be there to be able to experience this with her,” Bunnie XO shared in a clip, revealing Durham’s thoughtful and selfless personality. “She was just so happy that she could give back to her friends that were in recovery and people that she helped in recovery when she got sober. And man, that’s what life is all about.”
“We Never Know When Our Last Breath On Earth Is Here”
Bunnie XO then shared a new perspective on life that folks often forget about, when trying to focus on day-to-day matters.
“I feel like sometimes we might get wrapped up in the mumbo jumbo of life,” Bunnie XO shared. “If somebody’s trying to spread lies about you, of course, you’re going to want to defend yourself. Or if you know who’s gossiping about you or you know what somebody else is doing. And, honestly, none of that fu—ing matters, dude.”
“We never know when our last breath on earth is here. If you want to waste your time spreading toxicity and dwelling on things that don’t fu—ing matter and that don’t inspire people, I would much rather inspire people than impress people. I want to leave here with people being like, ‘Dude. She touched my life. She helped me out of a dark spot.’ That’s what I want to do. And that’s what I live for. I don’t care what anybody has to say about me. If they like me, if they don’t like me, cool. [I] don’t care. Cause you know what? If Suzanne was given five months to live and she chose to live her last five months inspiring people, that alone is enough motivation for me to want to do the same,” she continued. “So I hope that every one of you guys get to run across to Suzanne because she’ll change your perspective on life. Love you guys.”
Jelly Roll will soon bring his music to more fans with the launch of his Backroad Baptism Tour, which begins on Friday (July 28) at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southaven, Mississippi. For a complete list of tour dates, visit Jelly Roll’s official website here.
