Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter dies after ‘long and difficult health battle,’ family says
Loretta Lynn's family shared that the singer's eldest granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has died.
Loretta Lynn's official Instagram account shared the news Aug. 23 alongside a photo of Massey, who was standing in front of one of her grandmother's records.
“Betty Sue’s daughter Lynn Massey, Loretta’s first grandchild, passed away this week after a long and difficult health battle. Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love continually shown to us,” the post reads.
The family did not offer additional details about Massey's health. TODAY.com has reached out to the family for comment, but have not heard back by the time of publication.
After hearing the news, Loretta Lynn's fans took to the comments section to share their condolences.
“So sorry for your loss. May her memory be of a blessing always,” one wrote with prayer hands and heart emoji.
“This is so sad,” another commented with the sad emoji. “reunited with her mom and grandma.”
Massey was the daughter of Betty Sue Lynn, the eldest daughter of the country legend, who died in 2013 at the age of 64 following complications of emphysema, per the Associated Press.
Loretta Lynn died in 2022 at the age of 90 in her Tennessee home.
While married to her husband, Oliver Lynn, the singer had six children: Betty, Jack, Ernest, Clara, Patsy and Peggy. Two of her children, including Betty Sue Lynn and Jack Benny Lynn, died before she did.
Following the singer's death, two of her daughters appeared live on TODAY to share memories and talk about the release of her final project, “A Song and A Prayer: 30 Devotions Inspired by My Favorite Songs.”
During her lifetime, Loretta Lynn had 26 grandchildren, per People. In 2016, the singer announced that her grandson, Jeffrey Allen Lynn, died at the age of 47.
In 2024, the singer’s granddaughter Emmy Russell appeared on “American Idol” and made it to the top five before being eliminated. Calling her leaving the singing competition “God’s plan,” Russell reflected on her experience on the show in an Instagram video.
“It’s funny because before I got eliminated I really felt like I think God told me, he was like, ‘Emmy, you’re not going to be chosen by America, but I chose you.’ And so there was no sense of, ‘Why wasn’t I chosen?’ I know I’m chosen. It’s like, whenever a boy is like, ‘I don’t want to go out with you anymore.’ And you’re like, ‘OK, but I know I’m loved,’” she said.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com