Loretta Lynn’s First Granddaughter, Lynn Massey, Has Died After A ‘Long And Difficult Health Battle’

Loretta Lynn’s first granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has passed away. The news broke across the late country icon’s official social media platforms on the evening of Thursday, August 22. 

According to the recent post, Massey’s death came as a result of a “long and difficult health battle.” 

The caption read, “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.”

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The “Coal Miner’s Daughter” welcomed her first child, a daughter named Betty Sue, when she was just 16 years old. Betty Sue then gave birth to two daughters of her own, Lynn Massey, whom she named after her mother, and Audrey Dyer. In 2013, Betty Sue died from complications from emphysema at 64 years old. Prior to her death, she followed in her mother’s footsteps as an incredible songwriter. She’s responsible for penning several of Lynn’s songs including “Wine, Women and Song” and “The Home You’re Tearin’ Down.”

Over the years, on the anniversaries of her daughter’s passing, Loretta Lynn would pay tribute to her on social media. She would pen heartfelt messages that included memories of Betty’s upbringing and snapshots into her “fun” and “feisty” personality.

In July of 2022, Loretta wrote, “Over the years Betty Sue worked with me a lot with the ranch and entertaining. She was an amazing songwriter, too. She loved people, she loved to cut up and she had fun wherever she was. She had a heart of gold and she thought everyone was important. People nor animals neither one went hungry if Betty Sue knew. She was just good to people—no matter who they were or what they had going on.”

She continued, “We talked on the phone every day and saw each other a lot when I was home off the road. It felt like part of my heart died when she left us. I hated seeing her sick, but I didn’t want to let her go. She was more than a daughter; she was a best friend.”

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Loretta Lynn Had Six Children And 25 Grandchildren

Loretta Lynn shared six children in total with her late husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn. The pair tied the knot when they were 15 and raised Betty Sue along with Jack Benny, who died in 1984, Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, and twins Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen.

The country music community lost the incredible singer/songwriter, mother, and wife on Oct. 4, 2022. She was survived by four of her children as well as 25 grandchildren, one of which has since passed. 

According to her official website, her grandchildren include Loretta Lynn Massey, Audrey Dryer, 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.

Emmy Russell Appeared On American Idol

The world came to know one of her grandchildren, Emmy Russell, earlier this year when she appeared on Season 22 of the singing competition show, American Idol and won both viewers and the judges over with her incredible musical talent. Throughout the competition, she took the stage to perform several of her grandmother’s tunes as well as some of her own originals before being eliminated after making it to the Top 5. 

Despite Loretta Lynn’s busy schedule as a beloved country music singer, she always made time for her family, especially around the holidays when they would gather at her Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, ranch.

“Family means everything to me,” Lynn previously told PEOPLE.