Jean Shepard, Country Music Icon, Dies At 82

Country music icon Jean Shepard died over the weekend. She was 82.

Jean Shepard Dies

Shepard died on Sunday after being in hospice care for a week. Her cause of death has not yet been revealed. Shepard’s son Hawkshaw Hawkins Jr. announced her passing in a statement to Billboard.

“Today is one of the hardest days of my life. Mom has been called home this morning and is now at peace,” Hawkins told the music magazine. “Please keep our family in your prayers during this tough time. Thank you everyone for your support.”

At the outset of her music career, Shepard had played with an all-female group called The Melody Ranch Girls. After striking out on her own, her first major hit was “A Dear John Letter” with Ferlin Husky. In the 50s, Shepard’s hits continued with “Beautiful Lies” and “I Want To Go Where No One Wants Me.” She also began performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Shepard continued to drop popular singles in the 60s and 70s, including, “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar),” “If Teardrops Were Silver,” “A Tear Dropped By, “Slippin’ Away” and a cover of Bill Anderson’s “The Tip of My Fingers.”

Shepard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011.