Loretta Lynn’s first granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has sadly passed away. The news was shared on Loretta’s official social media accounts on the evening of Thursday, August 22. According to the post, Lynn Massey died after a “long and difficult health battle.” The message expressed the family’s gratitude for the prayers and love they’ve received during this tough time.
Loretta Lynn, known for her song “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” had her first child, Betty Sue, when she was just 16 years old. Betty Sue later had two daughters, Lynn Massey, named after Loretta, and Audrey Dyer. Betty Sue passed away in 2013 at the age of 64 due to complications from emphysema. Before her passing, Betty Sue had followed in her mother’s footsteps as a talented songwriter, penning several of Loretta’s songs, including “Wine, Women and Song” and “The Home You’re Tearin’ Down.”
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Over the years, Loretta often paid tribute to her daughter Betty Sue on the anniversaries of her passing, sharing heartfelt memories and stories about Betty’s “fun” and “feisty” personality on social media. In July 2022, Loretta wrote about how Betty Sue had helped her with the ranch and entertaining over the years, describing her as an amazing songwriter with a heart of gold.
Betty Sue loved to joke around and have fun wherever she went, always caring about everyone, making sure that nobody went hungry if she could help it. Loretta also shared how they would talk on the phone every day and see each other often when she was home, and how it felt like part of her heart died when Betty Sue passed away. Loretta hated seeing her daughter sick but didn’t want to let her go, describing Betty Sue as more than a daughter—she was her best friend.
Loretta Lynn and her late husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, had six children together. They married when they were just 15 years old and raised Betty Sue along with Jack Benny, who passed away in 1984, Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, and twins Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen. The country music world lost Loretta Lynn, the incredible singer, mother, and wife, on October 4, 2022. She was survived by four of her children and 25 grandchildren, one of whom has now also passed.
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According to her official website, her grandchildren include Loretta Lynn Massey, Audrey Dyer, Jenny Whitworth, Jeremy Jack Lynn, Lori Lynn Smith, Ethan Lyell, Elizabeth Braun, Alexandria McCorry, Levi Lynn, Jason Lynn, Ernest Ray Lynn Jr., Tayla Lynn, Alex Lynn, David Greer, Wesley Lynn, Jasyntha Connelly, Lucca Marchetti, Natalie Rapp, Anthony Brutto, Megan Horkins, Katherine Condya, David Russell, Emmy Rose Russell, Jennafer Russell, and Melody Russell.
Earlier this year, the world got to know one of Loretta’s grandchildren, Emmy Russell, when she appeared on Season 22 of the singing competition show, American Idol. She won over both viewers and judges with her incredible talent. Throughout the competition, she performed several of her grandmother’s songs and some of her own originals before being eliminated after reaching the Top 5. Despite Loretta Lynn’s busy life as a beloved country music singer, she always made time for her family, especially during the holidays when they would gather at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Loretta once told PEOPLE, “Family means everything to me.”
