Country Stars Pay tribute To The Late Great Little Jimmy Dickens

(AP) - Mel Tillis calls Little Jimmy Dickens "a little man with a big heart." Dickens died Friday of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day. He was 94.

Pam Tillis says Dickens "could give any entertainer on that stage a run for his money when it came to charming the audience." Ricky Skaggs says Dickens' charm and wit made him a star everyone wanted to meet.

Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band says the first time they played the Grand Ole Opry, Dickens surprised him by asking for a picture and autograph. Reba McEntire thanks Dickens for "the smiles, great music and your big loving heart." Carrie Underwood says it's raining in Nashville because Dickens is in heaven making the angels laugh so hard they're crying.

Brad Paisley calls Dickens his hero and says we should not mourn him, but celebrate him.

Also, funeral arrangements have been made for the country music legend.

(AP) - Fans will be able to pay their respects to Little Jimmy Dickens.

A public visitation will be held for Dickens at Woodlawn Roesch Patton Funeral Home in Nashville on Wednesday. A public Celebration of Life service will be held at the Grand Ole Opry on Thursday.

Dickens died Friday at the age of 94. His last performance at the Opry was barely two weeks ago, on December 20.