Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell Fights Back Tears During Heavenly Tribute At The Opry
Emmy Russell sang her grandmother Loretta Lynn's "Lay Me Down" during an Opry tribute show in May 2025. (Photo Credits: Ebet Roberts / Getty Images & Grand Ole Opry / YouTube)
Emmy Russell Sings “Lay Me Down” To Honor Her Late “Memaw” Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn‘s legacy lives on through all who loved her, including her granddaughter, Emmy Russell.
Emmy and her beloved “memaw” were incredibly close. Emmy toured with Loretta when he was young, and Loretta encouraged her to develop her talents and chase her musical dreams. But above all, she nurtured Emmy’s love for her faith.
“The most advice that she has given me throughout the years was to love God,” Emmy once recalled when asked to relay Loretta’s best piece of advice. “She was such a lover of God and I think it was more of, ‘Listen to him and follow his voice.'”
When Loretta passed away in 2022 at the age of 90, Emmy was understandably heartbroken.
A few weeks after Loretta’s passing, Emmy performed during her memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry. She joined Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas, onstage to sing “Lay Me Down.”
Released in 2016, “Lay Me Down” was Loretta and Willie’s first and only duet. The song had the two country legends reflecting on life and death, as they sang:
“When they lay me down someday, my soul will rise, then fly away. This old world will turn around. I’ll be at peace when they lay me down.”
More recently, Emmy revisited “Lay Me Down” for a performance at the Grand Ole Opry House. She performed the song during the Opry 100 Honors tribute show honoring Loretta in May 2025.
Months later, the Opry shared a video of Emmy’s entire performance. She fought back tears as she delivered a heavenly rendition of “Lay Me Down” in Loretta’s memory. There surely wasn’t a dry eye in the room after she finished singing.
Watch Emmy Russell beautifully cover Loretta Lynn’s “Lay Me Down” in the video below.
Emmy Previously Delivered A “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Tribute On American Idol
Many may recognize Emmy from her run on American Idol in 2024. She advanced to the Top 5 after amazing the judges and viewers with her vulnerable performances.
One of her most memorable Idol moments was when she covered Loretta’s signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” She gave the tune her own spin, all while still tapping into the heart and soul behind the lyrics her memaw wrote decades prior.
Millions were touched by Emmy’s rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” It still stands out as one of the best performances in Idol history. Revisit it below.
