Randy Travis continues recovery from stroke

TIOGA, Texas — It's proof that inspiration comes in many forms.

"He wakes up with a smile on his face; he goes to bed with a smile on his face. He inspires me daily," said Mary Davis, Randy Travis' fiancée.

Davis says every day has been trying and yet fulfilling.

Randy Travis was admitted with viral cardiomyopathy and suffered a stroke in July, 2013. His rehabilitation since then and the fight within has Randy Travis making remarkable strides.

"There's never that, 'Why me Lord?' It's always, 'Why not me, Lord?'" Davis said.

She has been a witness to those strides from the beginning. Travis appeared at a benefit in September using a walking stick. This week, Davis tells us he walked 300 yards without it.

Randy Travis is determined to perform on stage again as he recovers from a stroke. Jobin Panicker has the News 8 exclusive Jobin Panicker / WFAA

"He's starting to write," she said. "He signed some guitars with his left hand. So Randy Travis has a new autograph!"

His recovery is a long road, but it would be wrong not to mention that part of that road runs through Tioga. That's the town where the country music star now lives, and where there is still a sign that reads: "Pray for Randy Travis."

"The more people you have praying for you an

The man who serenaded the world has to really work to find words now. But the aphasia he struggles with is no match for his medicine — music.d rooting for you, the better," said James Hilliard of Clark's Outpost Barbecue. Hilliard said Randy Travis would come in for a meal and would always be so humble.

"The music does come easy," Davis said. "He plays every single chord, and he knows all the words."

Never short on inspiration, Mary Davis learns something more about Randy Travis every day.

"I'm exactly where I need to be and want to be, and from Randy's standpoint, he's gonna be back," she pledged. "He loves music too much."