Loretta Lynn's eldest granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has passed away.
On Saturday, August 24, the late country music legend's official Instagram and Facebook accounts shared the news of Massey's passing, along with a photo of Massey smiling in front of his grandmother's records. Massey was one of Loretta Lynn's 26 grandchildren.
“Loretta's first grandchild, Betty Sue's daughter Lynn Massey, passed away this week after a long and difficult illness,” a statement from Lynn's family read. “Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love that continues to be showered upon us.”
Several fans and friends shared their condolences in the Instagram comments section, with singer Jewel writing, “Sending you all so much love.”
Massey's age was not revealed in the post, but multiple outlets, including AL.com, reported that she was 64.
Loretta Lynn's granddaughter, Lynn Massey.
Loretta Lynn Official/Instagram
Massey is the daughter of the musician's first child, Betty Sue Lynn, who died at age 64 in 2013, according to Taste of Country. She was also the mother of Massey's daughter Audrey Dyer, who is Massey's sister, according to Betty Sue's 2013 obituary.
Loretta Lynn welcomed her first child in 1948 at the age of 16. The country icon went on to have six children with her husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, whom she married at age 15. She was mother to Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, twins Peggy Jean, Patsy Irene, Betty Sue and the late Jack Benny.
Loretta Lynn died in October 2022 at the age of 90 at her home in Tennessee.
Among the “I'm a Honky Tonk Girl” singer's grandchildren is American Idol contestant Emmy Russell, who advanced to the show's Hollywood round in early 2024.
Russell made her television debut in February, performing her original song “Skinny,” about her struggles with weight and eating disorders, in front of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, and later in the show she also sang her grandmother's hit “Coal Miner's Daughter.”
“She's one of the greatest country music singers of all time, but to me she's just my grandma,” Russell said at the time. “I think I'm a little timid, and I think it's because I want to own my own voice, and that's why I want to challenge myself and come here.”
