Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Lynn Massey Passes Away After Health Struggle

Loretta Lynn’s family is deeply mourning the loss of the country music icon’s eldest granddaughter.

Verified Instagram and Facebook pages for the late artist, who passed away at age 90 two years ago, announced Lynn Massey’s death last week.

“Betty Sue’s daughter Lynn Massey, Loretta’s first grandchild, passed away this week after a long and difficult health battle,” the family’s announcement conveyed. “Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love continually shown to us.”

The post featured a heartwarming snapshot of Massey joyfully smiling in front of shelves showcasing Lynn’s vinyl records. Massey’s mother, Betty Sue, who was the singer’s eldest child, died in 2013 from complications of emphysema, according to The Associated Press.

USA TODAY has reached out to the singer’s representative for further comments.

Fans and friends expressed their condolences. “My condolences to this AMAZING family,” wrote one fan, while singer Jewel added, “Sending so much love.”

Loretta Lynn, who was a coal miner’s daughter and married at 15, was famously a mother of four when she embarked on her music career in the 1960s. She broke new ground as one of the first female music stars to write her own hits and challenged traditional gender roles with songs like “Rated ‘X'” and “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”

She was the first woman to be named entertainer of the year at both the Country Music Association Awards in 1972 and the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1975.

One of Lynn’s 26 grandchildren, Emmy Russell, competed on “American Idol” earlier this year and made it to the top five of Season 22, where she performed her grandmother’s hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Another granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, has built a career as a singer-songwriter and has toured alongside Conway Twitty’s grandson, Tre Twitty.

Lynn’s grandson Jeffrey Allen Lynn died unexpectedly at 47 in 2016, as announced by her website at the time.

Contributing: Peter Cooper, The (Nashville) Tennessean