Which of Loretta Lynn's granddaughters appeared on American Idol? Singer's oldest grandchild Lynn Massey dies after health battle

The country music legend, Loretta Lynn, was blessed with over 25 grandchildren, including the famed Emmy Russell, who started her career as a singer/ songwriter and rose to global fame when she first appeared on American Idol in February 2024.

Emmy Russel auditioned for the twenty-second season of the singing competition in February 2024 and performed the original ballad - Skinny. She braved through the competition over the following months and reached the Top 5. Emmy could not make it further and was eliminated from American Idol in May 2024.

Months after the end of her American Idol journey, Emmy Russell met with another disheartening news in the form of her first cousin, Lynn Massey's death. Not much is known about Massey's professional life, but she was the first grandchild of Loretta Lynn and the daughter of her eldest, Betty Sue Lynn.

Lynn Massey reportedly passed away this Thursday, August 22, after battling an undisclosed illness for a long time. Loretta Lynn's social media pages revealed the saddening news this Friday but did not say much about the disease.

The post featured a picture of the late Lynn Massey and expressed heartfelt gratitude to people sending prayers and love for the departed soul and the family.

Disclaimer: This article may contain mentions of death and demise, which may be triggering to some. Readers' discretion is advised.

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Loretta Lynn's children, the country musician's demise, and more

Loretta Lynn and her late husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn when she was just 15. The couple shared six children - Betty Sue, Jack Benny, Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, Peggy Jean, and Patsy Eileen.

The country music legend left the world on the morning of October 4, 2022. Loretta's family shared a public statement following her demise and confirmed that the singer passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Hurricane Mills ranch.

Loretta's eldest grandchild, Lynn Massey is reportedly the first of the 25 granddaughters and grandsons who recently passed away. Massey's mother, Betty Sue Lynn also died in July 2013.

Betty was 64 years old at the time of death and was suffering from pulmonary emphysema. As per the family, the lung disease was the reason behind Betty's death.

Loretta lost her oldest son, Jack Benny Lynn in July 1984. Her autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter, published in 1976, described Jack as the child she felt the most sentimental about. Jack reportedly drowned to death while trying to ford Tennesseee's Duck River on horseback. He was 34 at the time of his death and his body was recovered from near the river bank.

While Loretta Lynn's other children have been doing fine, her fourth child, Ernest Ray Lynn, also battled a life-threatening illness earlier this year. Ernest underwent critical surgery because of a kidney failure in January 2024.

Loretta Lynn's son, Ernest Ray Lynn performs at the SXSW Film-Interactive in 2016 (Image via Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

The 69-year-old has been doing better now and posts frequent health updates on Facebook through his wife, Crystal Lynn. A July 2024 update from Ernest read:

“We just wanted to tell y’all that Ernie has been feeling great, and your prayers are working, and we appreciate you guys so much,” Crystal Lynn said in the Facebook post.

The post featuring a picture of Ernest also had him expressing gratitude to family, friends, and fans for the prayers and love:

“I want to thank y’all for the prayers and stuff when I was in the hospital. I appreciate it,” added Ernest May Lynn.

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Loretta Lynn was survived by the four children - Clara Marie, Ernest Ray, Peggy Jean, and Patsy Eileen. The 24 grandchildren surviving the country musician, include - Emmy Russell, Audrey Dryer, Jenny Whitworth, Jeremy Jack Lynn, Lori Lynn Smith, and Ethan Lyell, among others.