Norah Lee Allen, wife of The Oak Ridge Boys' lead singer, Duane Allen, died on Sunday, March 31. She was 76.
The official Instagram page of The Oak Ridge Boys posted a carousel of photos featuring Duane and Norah Lee, who wed in September 1969 and had two children together.
Duane Allen's Wife Dead at 76
According to the post, Norah Lee died on the morning of March 31 after battling an extended illness. Duane also penned a message he shared with his close friends after the loss.
"She had not been feeling well for some time. Her family all spent the night with her last night at Vanderbilt Hospital," The Oak Ridge Boys quoted Duane. "We took time singing with and to her, telling her stories, and loving her every second that God let us share her here on Earth. Jamie, Dee, and I would like to thank you all for your love and prayers. We have been at her bedside for over nine weeks."
Duane asked his friends and colleagues to check his Facebook page at a later date to confirm the details of the arrangements.
Meanwhile, a visitation and a service will be held at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 2.
Musicians, colleagues and fans filled the comments sections with heartfelt tributes after Norah Lee's death.
Award-winning artist Crystal Gayle wrote, "I am heart broken. Norah Lee was an angel. Now she is an angel in heaven. Bill and I send our love and prayers."
"So sad for the heartache and sense of loss Duane and his family are experiencing. May God comfort you with the peace and sense of assurance you have provided to so many of us over the past 50 years," another Instagram user wrote.
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Norah Lee Allen Established a Career as a Singer
Like Duane, Norah Lee also created her empire in the music industry, starting with The Stuart Sisters Trio group with her siblings. Their father formed the group when she was three.
The family gospel singers then spent 17 years of their lives traveling and performing at concerts, churches and conventions.
Chuck Wagon Gang hired her in 1968 before her marriage to Duane. Norah Lee collaborated with more bands and artists, including Conway Twitty and Jerome Hines, and her voice made her a full-time member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1980.
She was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2022.
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