Loretta Lynn performing live in 2016. Photo Credit: Anna Hanks
Country star Loretta Lynn, the singer-songwriter behind “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” has passed away at the age of 90.
Butcher Hollow, Kentucky-born Loretta Lynn “passed peacefully in her sleep early this morning,” her family announced in a message published on the three-time Grammy winner’s website. While the obituary doesn’t disclose the Still Woman Enough artist’s cause of death, it does indicate that she was “at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.”
Loretta Lynn’s family members also “asked for privacy during this time” and said that they will reveal details about a memorial service in a forthcoming public statement. Lynn is survived by four children (including twins Peggy and Patsy Lynn) as well as a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In place of flowers, Lynn’s loved ones requested that supporters and friends make donations to the Loretta Lynn Foundation.
During her 60-year career, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Loretta Lynn released 50 studio albums as a solo act (in addition to 10 well-known collaborative projects with Conway Twitty), beginning with 1963’s Loretta Lynn Sings.
Eight of the country mainstay’s more than 85 total albums have been certified Gold by the RIAA, and Loretta Lynn is said to have sold north of 45 million albums worldwide. Among the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient’s many popular tracks are “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and “Fist City.”
On social media, all manner of artists, fans, and others are offering kind words and celebrating the life of Loretta Lynn.
“Loretta Lynn contributed enormously to the world of Country Music. All of us adored and loved her,” said fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell.
“Loretta Lynn has passed on. America’s Van Lear Rose, and mine,” weighed in author Stephen King.
“She was a cantankerous little pistol…friendly and sweet…never afraid to be herself and speak her mind,” Carrie Underwood penned in part.
“Loretta Lynn gave me this ring of hers many moons ago and I’ve cherished it ever since. Rest in peace. We will all miss you so dearly,” stated actress Brooke Shields, including with the message a photo of the jewelry.
“So sorry to hear about my sister, friend Loretta,” added Dolly Parton. “We’ve been like sisters all the years we’ve been in Nashville and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I’m one of them. I miss her dearly as we all will. May she rest in peace.”