The entertainment world mourns the loss of a country legend.
On Tuesday, October 4, singer-songwriter and “honky tonk girl” Loretta Lynn died at the age of 90 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy of more than 60 years of music and pop culture memories .
After the news broke, those who inspired the singer, whether they worked with her or loved her from afar, responded with statements of their own or simply took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
In a statement to TODAY, country star Reba McEntire celebrated both Lynn and her own mother, Jacqueline MeEntire, who died just two years ago.
“Mom and Loretta were four years apart, Mom was the eldest,” said the “Fancy” singer. “They always reminded me of each other a lot. Strong women who loved their children and were fiercely loyal. Now they’re both in heaven to join us and talk about how they grew up, how different country music is now than it was when they were young. Of course I feel good that Mom went first so she could welcome Loretta to the Roarers of Heaven.”
McEntire added, “I always have and I will always love Loretta. She was always so nice to me.
And Lynn’s longtime friend and colleague Dolly Parton took to Instagram in loving words of her own.
“So sorry to hear from my sister friend Loretta,” Parton wrote. “We were all like sisters all the years we were in Nashville and she was a wonderful person, a wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I am one of them. I miss her dearly, as we all will. May she rest in peace.”
Travis Tritt tweeted a commemorative message from his own.
“So sad to hear about death@LorettaLynn‘ he wrote alongside a commemorative photo of himself performing with her. “She has always been an inspiration to those of us who grew up listening to and loved true country music. We will greatly miss her kindness, strength and dedication to country music and her fans. They don’t make her like her anymore.”
Lynn’s rare qualities were too remembered by LeAnn Rimes.
“Oh, sweet Loretta Lynn…” Rimes began. “What a life! What an icon! What a trailblazer! What a beautiful soul! May she rest peacefully with the angels. My heart goes out to her family and friends.”
And Stella Parton, Dolly’s sister, marked the sad occasion through writing“My heart is broken by the news that my sweet friend Loretta Lynn has passed away. I will remember all the sweet visits and laughs we shared. RIP sweet angel.”
Charlie Daniels Jr., son of the country music star with whom he shares his name, and the late singer’s widow, Hazel, recalled how Lynn had reacted to the elder Daniels’ death her tweet.
“Mom and I are sad to hear of the loss of a true legend. @LorettaLynn“, write. “When Papa died, she said country would never be the same without Papa. It definitely won’t be the same without the miner’s daughter. Rest in peace.”
George Strait attended the ceremony Write“We will definitely miss Loretta Lynn. What an amazing woman and so incredibly talented. Very grateful that she shared this with all of us fans. God bless the whole family. Rest in peace Loretta.
singer-songwriter Carole King wrote on Twitter that Lynn was “an inspiration”.
And kd lang, who recorded her “Honky Tonk Angels’ Medley” with Lynn in 1988. tweeted“Fast rebirth, my friend,” alongside an emoji of praying hands and a heart.
As for Kacey Musgraves, who once credited Lynn as one of her two biggest influences (alongside Dolly Parton), she kept her tribute short, only sharing a heartbroken emoji and Lynn’s first name.
“Watch What Happens Live” Andy Cohen fondly recalled having Lynn on his show in 2016.
“RIP #LorettaLynn – the queen of the land,” the host tweeted. “It was a total honor to have her on #WWHL years ago. What an iconic and lovely person.”
And actor and singer Tom Wopat shared a message expressing his condolences to Lynn’s loved ones, adding: “She was a wonderful person and will be missed dearly.”