Loretta Lynn's granddaughter tragically passes away

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

Lynn Massey died this week after suffering from a 'long and difficult health battle,' the country singer's Instagram page announced this week. 

'Our family is so grateful for the prayers and love continually shown to us,' the post said. The family did not elaborate on her ailment.  

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

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

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

Lynn Massey passed away this week after suffering from a 'long and difficult health battle,' the country singer's Instagram page announced this week

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

Her family has been struck by various health concerns lately, including her son, Ernie Lynn, 69, who underwent a critical surgery for kidney failure earlier this year, according to AL.com. 

Lynn's oldest son, Jack, died in 1984 after drowning in the Duck River in Tennessee, according to Taste of Country. 

Despite the health tragedies that have stuck the Lynn family, they've had their triumphs recently too. 

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

Russell won the praises of Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie after performing an original song called Skinny. 

The judges were prepared to send Emmy through to the Hollywood auditions even before they knew of her iconic lineage. 

'Growing up, I sang music my entire life,' Emmy told the panel. 'I don’t really sing out as much anymore, but growing up I sang on the road with… my grandma’s a country singer.'

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

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

After Luke pressed her on the singer's identity, Emmy stunned them by disclosing that her 'memaw' was none other than the Grammy-winning hitmaker of such hits as You Ain't Woman Enough and Coal Miner's Daughter.

'She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just my grandma, and growing up on the bus and all that was very 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 was thinking about my grandma, but I was also like "Emmy, she’s with you and now it’s your turn,"' she said.

'I think I’m more like her now than whenever I was trying to be like her. I’m really excited.'

Russell was later voted off the show.  

Loretta launched her career in the early 1960s, and her songs reflected her pride in her rural Kentucky background.

Her biggest hits came in the 1960s and '70s, 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 movie Coal Miner's Daughter basked on the singer's best-selling book.