Randy White, husband of country singer Lorrie Morgan, has died following a battle with mouth cancer. He was reportedly 72.
Morgan, best known for her hits “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No,” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” announced White’s death on June 1 in an emotional post shared on her social media pages. The singer, who was previously married to late country singer Keith Whitley, did not share the date of White’s death.
“Randy has been my partner, my champion and my rock for 17 years,” Morgan wrote alongside a photo of the couple. “Our big, wonderful family and I are devastated at the loss of this truly kind and incredible man. I was blessed by his love. Ran-Ran, I will love and miss you forever.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Morgan’s representative for comment.
White’s death comes nearly two months after Morgan, 65, was forced to cancel a pair of performances due to White’s ongoing treatment for mouth cancer. Morgan’s manager confirmed to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, in April that the Grand Ole Opry star’s spouse was recently readmitted to a Tennessee hospital amid the health ordeal.
Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, occurs when a growth of cells develops in the mouth, according to Mayo Clinic. The cancer can affect various parts of the mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, and the roof and floor of the mouth.
Morgan’s son, fellow singer Jesse Keith Whitley, shared his reaction to White’s death in a heartfelt Facebook post. The tribute included a sweet collage of throwback photos of White over the years.
“As I sit here in the room with hospice, I don’t know really what to think or to say about this situation,” Whitley wrote. “But I can say that the recent years of my life, all the way back to when I was 22-23 years old, this great man has been here and loved my mom and also me (and) my sister as we were his own.”
Reflecting on White’s impact on Morgan and her family, Whitley said White “has shown unconditional love to my mother and been the most gentle soul to ever grace this entire family.”
“As we say our goodbyes, I reminisce of all the good times we have had (and) the battles he has helped overcome,” Whitley wrote. “I can’t tell you the amount of love that has poured in from fans, family and friends. We will miss you always and forever and our hearts are shattered in losing you. But you have fought one helluva fight RanMan!”
Contributing: Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean
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