Fans of the late great country music star Loretta Lynn are in mourning after her oldest grandchild, Lynn Massey, died last week following a lengthy health battle. She was 59 years-old.
Loretta’s Granddaughter Passes Away
The tragic news was shared on Loretta’s official social media accounts.
“Betty Sue’s daughter Lynn Massey, Loretta’s first grandchild, passed away this week after a long and difficult health battle,” the statement read. “Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love continually shown to us.”
The statement was posted alongside a photo of Lynn smiling in front of some of Loretta’s vinyl records. She was the oldest of Loretta’s 26 grandchildren. 26!
A representative for Loretta’s family later confirmed Lynn’s death to Fox News.
“We can confirm that Lynn, the daughter of Loretta’s oldest daughter Betty passed away this past week,” this representative said. “Lynn was the eldest grandchild. She was only 11 months younger than Loretta’s twin daughters.”
Loretta’s twins Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen were born in August of 1964. While no official age for Lynn was given, this indicates that she was born in July of 1965 and was therefore 59 years-old at the time of her passing.
Loretta’s Other Children
Lynn was the daughter of Betty Sue Lynn, the first of the country music star’s six children with husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn. Loretta was only 15 years-old when she married him, while he was 22. She was only 16 years of age when she gave birth to Betty Sue.
Aside from Betsy Sue and the twins, Loretta and Oliver were also parents to Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, and Jack Benny. Sadly, Jack Benny died in 1984 when he drowned after going horseback riding on Loretta’s Hurricane Mills ranch.
Betsy Sue passed away back in 2013 at the age of 64 after a battle with emphysema. Loretta died in 2022 at the age of 90. She died in her sleep, and no specific cause of death has ever been given.
Loretta’s Granddaughter’s American Idol Run
This comes months after Loretta’s granddaughter Emmy Russell competed on season 22 of American Idol. When Emmy was a child, Loretta would oftentimes bring her onstage during her concerts.
“Memaw [her name for Lynn] passed down her guitar to me when I was 15 at the Ryman Auditiorium,” Emmy revealed during her time on the show. “She said ‘You’re the one that can do it.’ She always thought I had this spark about me ever since I was a little kid. She felt she needed to give me the guitar as the torch in a way.”
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just Grandma,” she later added. “I think I am a little timid, and I think it is because I want to own my voice. That’s why I want to challenge myself and come out here.”
Related: Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell Blows Judges Away In Top 24 On ‘American Idol’
As for the best advice that Loretta gave Emmy, it was “to love God.”
“She was such a lover of God and I think it was more of, ‘Listen to him and follow his voice,'” Emmy stated.
Emmy had quite the run on American Idol, making it all the way to the top five before being eliminated.
This is clearly a very difficult time for Loretta’s entire family. Please join us in saying a prayer for them as they mourn Lynn Massey!
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