By Rick HowlettJudy Lynn Kelly, a country singer who left the music business to become a minister, has died at her home in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She was 74. A relative tells the Assoicated Press that Kelly died Wednesday after suffering from congestive heart failure.According to the website hillbilly-music.com, Kelly, who performed under the name Judy Lynn, rose to fame after touring with a group of Grand Ole Opry performers as a teenager. She was hired to fill in for Jean Shepherd, who had become ill during a stop in the northwest.Kelly retired from the music business in 1980 to enter the ministry. Survivors include a daughter and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Her funeral will be Tuesday at Christ Gospel Church in Jeffersonville.(Image from www.hillbilly-music.com)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.