Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Lynn Massey Dead Following ‘Health Battle’

Loretta Lynn’s eldest granddaughter, Lynn Massey, has died.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the official Instagram and Facebook accounts of the late country music legend shared the news of Massey’s death, alongside a photo of Massey smiling in front of some of her grandmother’s vinyl records. Massey was one of Loretta Lynn’s 26 grandchildren.

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

Several fans and friends shared their condolences in the post’s comment section on Instagram, including singer Jewel, who wrote, “Sending so much love.”

While Massey’s age was not disclosed in the post, multiple outlets including AL.com reported that she was 64 years old.

Massey was the daughter of Betty Sue Lynn, the musician’s first child, who died in 2013 at age 64, per Taste of Country. According to Betty Sue’s 2013 obituary, she was also the mother of daughter Audrey Dyer — Massey’s sister.

Loretta Lynn welcomed her firstborn child when she was 16 years old in 1948. The country icon shared six children with husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, whom she married at age 15. She was mom to kids Clara Marie, Ernest Ray and twins Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen, as well as Betty Sue and the late Jack Benny.

Loretta Lynn died at her home in Tennessee in October 2022 at age 90.

Among the “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” singer’s other grandchildren is Emmy Russell, an American Idol contestant who made it to the series’ Hollywood round in early 2024.

While making her TV debut in February, Russell performed her original song “Skinny,” about struggles with weight and eating disorders for judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. She also sang her grandmother’s hit track “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in a later performance on the show.

“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just Grandma,” Russell said at the time. “I think I am a little timid, and I think it is because I want to own my voice. That’s why I want to challenge myself and come out here.”