John Rich's grandmother Cleda Ann "Granny" Rich has passed away at 88 years old. The Big & Rich singer shared the news on social media on Tuesday, July 28.
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"I lost a giant of a lady in my life today," Rich wrote. "Granny Rich went to be with Jesus after battling hard for a month from a stroke. She was a Mother to me, and I'll strive to live up to her example. She was strong, funny, caring and an unapologetic American to the end."
I lost a giant of a lady in my life today. Granny Rich went to be with Jesus after battling hard for a month from a stroke. She was a Mother to me, and I'll strive to live up to her example. She was strong, funny, caring and an unapologetic American to the end. #RIPGrannyRich pic.twitter.com/JeiFN1kqFp
— John Rich (@johnrich) July 28, 2020
Ann Rich, born in Pampa, Texas on February 14, 1932, worked as a seamstress in Ashland City, Tennessee and even created some of Rich's early stage clothes. She was also the namesake to Redneck Riviera's Granny Rich Whiskey.
In a moving statement, John Rich shared a tribute to his beloved grandmother.
"Granny Rich lived through the Great Depression, The Dust Bowl Days, WWII, and many bouts of personal struggles in her life but managed to always persevere and work toward a better future for herself and everyone she loved," Rich said in a statement. "She was a fierce Patriot and expressed her love for our country loud and clear. Her work ethic is legendary, as she ran her own business on her own terms up until one month before she passed away at 88 years of age. She is an inspiration to me and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her and will be sorely missed. She gave her life to Jesus many decades ago, so I have peace in knowing she is now in the arms of Jesus. I'm sure there's a line of angels waiting on her to sew some golden thread into their heavenly apparel! Rest in peace, Granny. You will always be 'The Queen of the working class.' Job well done."
