The family of the late country music legend Loretta Lynn announced Friday that her eldest granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has died.
“Loretta's first grandchild, Betty Sue's daughter Lynn Massey, passed away this week after a long and difficult illness,” the Instagram post read, along with a photo of Massey smiling and standing in front of her grandmother's records.
“Our family is so grateful for all the prayers and love shown to us,” the caption continued.
Fans and followers expressed their condolences in the comments section of the post. No additional information was provided regarding the news. ABC News reached out to Loretta Lynn's family for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Massey was the daughter of Loretta Lynn's eldest daughter, Betty Sue Lynn. According to the Associated Press, Massey died in 2013 at age 64 from complications of emphysema.
Meanwhile, Loretta Lynn passed away in October 2022 at the age of 90.
In addition to Betty Sue Lynn, the “You Ain't Woman Enough” singer had five other children with husband Oliver Lynn: Jack, Ernest, Clara, Patsy and Peggy. Jack died in 1984 at age 34, according to Loretta Lynn's website.
“It was so hard when we lost him,” Lin wrote on her website in July 2022, just months before his death. “My team asked me if I should continue posting every year on the anniversary of his death and I said of course. I enjoy remembering him, hearing his name and stories about him, and seeing that others haven't forgotten him.”
Loretta Lynn attends Lifetime's Billboard Women in Music 2015 on December 11, 2015 in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images, File
Earlier this year, Loretta Lynn's granddaughter, Amy Russell, paid tribute to her late grandmother with an emotional performance on “American Idol.”
The season 22 contestant sang Loretta Lynn's signature song, “Coal Miner's Daughter,” which judge Katy Perry chose for her on the April 29 episode.
“I love to sing from my heart and I think this song is perfect for that. It's my grandmother's song, so no song is closer to my heart than my own blood,” Russell said in a video recorded before taking the stage.
“I have to be proud to be Loretta Lynn's granddaughter,” she added at the time. “I'm proud to be the great-granddaughter of a coal miner.”
