When the news broke that outlaw country pioneer David Allan Coe had passed away at 86, the statement confirming the loss came not from a record label or a manager, but from his wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe. In a poignant tribute to the notoriously rebellious singer, she didn’t speak of chart-topping hits or his legendary status. Instead, she spoke of the man she knew personally: “My husband, my friend, my confidant and my life for many years,” she wrote. “I’ll never forget him and I don’t want anyone else to ever forget him either.”
Her words offered a rare and intimate glimpse into the final, stabilizing chapter of a life that was anything but conventional. David Allan Coe, the man behind working-class anthems like “Take This Job and Shove It” and “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” had a personal history as complex as his music, marked by prison time and multiple marriages. Yet, in his later years, it was Kimberly who became his constant partner, both on stage and off.
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Kimberly Hastings and David Allan Coe’s story began long before they said “I do.” The couple had reportedly been romantically linked for nearly a decade before they finally tied the knot. Their wedding eventually took place on April 17, 2010, at the iconic Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. The ceremony itself was fitting for a king of outlaw country; at the time, Coe was 71 years old, while Kimberly was 48. Adding a touch of Nashville star power to the affair, country star Toby Keith served as the official witness.
This was the singer’s sixth marriage, and when asked why he was taking the plunge again, Coe responded with his characteristic blunt humor, saying he was “tired of making decisions for myself”. For her part, Kimberly was not just a wife but a collaborator, regularly joining him on stage as a backup and duet singer, becoming an essential part of his live show.
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The Last Voice in the Final Act
David Allan Coe has passed away at the age of 86.
According to multiple reports, he died around 5pm ET today (Wed, April 29) in the hospital. No official cause of death has been released at this time. pic.twitter.com/Qfsojk10b0
— Country Chord (@CountryChord) April 30, 2026
In the years following their marriage, Kimberly became David’s primary link to the public, especially as his health began to fail. When he was hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2021, it was Kimberly who provided updates and thanked the medical staff upon his discharge. As his health continued to decline, she remained a steadfast presence by his side.
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When the end came on April 29, 2026, it was Kimberly who delivered the news to Rolling Stone. While representatives confirmed the specific time of his passing, it was her heartfelt words that framed the public’s understanding of his final moments, describing him simply as “one of the best singers and songwriters of our time.” In a life filled with turmoil, tours, and legal battles, Kimberly Hastings Coe ensured that the last chapter of the “Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy” was one defined by devotion and partnership.
