Country musician Roni Stoneman has died. She was 85.
Stoneman, born Veronica Loretta Stoneman, notably earned the nickname "First Lady of the Banjo" due to her contributions to the country music scene. After decades of career in the industry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum announced the loss in a heartbreaking statement.
Roni Stoneman Dead at 85
Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, paid tribute to the late member of the trailblazing country music family The Stoneman Family. He called her "a great talent and a strong woman" who had an impressive legacy in the industry.
"For Roni Stoneman, country music was a birthright and her life's work," Young said, per Variety. "She was an integral part of a bedrock country music family, and for eighteen years on 'Hew Haw,' she stole scenes as a skillful banjo player and as a comical, gap-toothed country character."
The late musician played the role of Ida Lee Nagger, also known as the "Ironing Board Lady."
Stoneman's cause of death was not disclosed to the public.
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Remembering Roni Stoneman
Stoneman's colleagues, fans and friends also offered her heartfelt messages following her passing.
Robert's Western World's official Instagram page wrote, "Charm, humor and true musical talent, Roni Stoneman will be missed. Thank you for the memories."
One wrote, "Awww Hubs and I met her years ago in Tennessee. We drove out to Blue Buckle TN for a chicken festival, lol. It was so much fun! She was a hoot! God rest her soul."
"So sad about this.... played with Roni many times at Nashville Cowboy Church... and more... prayers for family and friends...." another wrote.
"She was one-of-a-kind. She used to gripe to me that Roy Clark got all the glory for his banjo playing and not her. I didn't really get it until later," a third added. "She liked Roy, just wanted to have equal banjo time on the air. I'm so glad I got to talk to her again just a couple years ago. She sounded as happy as ever!!! RIP Roni."
Stoneman, the second youngest of Ernest and Hattie Stoneman's 23 children, continued touring with her sister, Donna Stoneman, in the years leading to her death.
