Loretta Lynn's granddaughter dies tragically

Loretta Lynn's granddaughter has tragically passed away at the age of 64 after a serious health battle.

Lynn Massey died this week after enduring a “long and difficult battle for her health,” the country singer's Instagram page announced this week.

“Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love that continues to be shown to us,” the post said. The family did not elaborate on her illness.

Massey was the daughter of Lynn's daughter Betty Sue and her first granddaughter.

The Grammy winner herself died in 2022 at the age of 90. Massey's mother died in 2013 from complications of pulmonary emphysema.

The singer gave birth to six children and had 26 grandchildren.

Lynn Massey passed away this week after enduring a “long and difficult battle for her health,” the country singer's Instagram page announced this week.

Massey was the daughter of Lynn's daughter Betty Sue and her first granddaughter

Her family has struggled with various health issues recently, including her son, 69-year-old Ernie Lynn, who underwent life-threatening surgery for kidney failure earlier this year, according to AL.com.

According to Taste of Country, Lynn's eldest son Jack died by drowning in the Duck River in Tennessee in 1984.

Despite the health tragedies that have struck the Lynn family, there have also been some recent successes.

Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell, 24, appeared on American Idol and sang a song about her eating disorder.

Russell earned praise from Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie after singing an original song called Skinny.

The judges were already ready to send Emmy to the auditions in Hollywood before they even knew about her legendary lineage.

“Growing up, I sang my whole life,” Emmy told the panel. “I don't sing as much anymore, but growing up, I sang on tour with… my grandma is a country singer.”

The Grammy winner herself died in 2022 at the age of 90. Loretta started her career in the early 1960s and her songs reflected her pride in her rural Kentucky origins

The granddaughter of the late legendary country singer Emmy Russell recently appeared on an episode of American Idol

When Luke asked her about the singer's identity, Emmy surprised her by revealing that her “Memaw” was none other than the Grammy-winning singer who wrote hits like “You Ain't Woman Enough” and “Coal Miner's Daughter.”

“She's one of the greatest country singers of all time, but to me she's just my grandma, and growing up on the bus and all that was just normal to me,” Emmy added.

At the end of her audition, Emmy reflected on her performance and what it would have meant to Loretta, who passed away in October 2022.

“I thought about my grandma, but I also thought, 'Emmy, she's with you and now it's your turn,'” she said.

“I think I'm more like her now than I was when I was trying to be like her. I'm really excited.”

Russell was later voted off the show.

Loretta began her career in the early 1960s and her songs reflected her pride in her rural Kentucky roots.

She had her biggest hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including “Coal Mine's Daughter,” “You Ain't Woman Enough,” “The Pill,” “Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) , “Rated X” and “You’re Looking at Country.”

She was also portrayed by Sissy Spacek in the 1980 film Coal Miner's Daughter, based on the singer's best-selling book.