Alongside her sister, Ashley Judd, Wynonna Judd honored her mother and music partner, Naomi Judd, as The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday night. Naomi died just one day before the celebration took place.
“I didn’t prepare anything tonight because I knew mom would probably talk the most,” Wynonna began, according to Taste of Country. “I’m gonna make this fast because my heart’s broken, and I feel so blessed. It’s a very strange dynamic, to be this broken and this blessed. … Though my heart is broken, I will continue to sing,” she continued before sharing some intimate details of her passing.
According to Wynonna, their mom passed away at 2:20 p.m. on April 30. The singer said she was able to kiss her mom “on the forehead” before walking away, the Tennessean reports.
You can watch parts of the emotional speech below:
But before that, Wynonna, Ashley, and other family members were able to pray for their mother, specifically, reading from Psalm 23. Wynonna then led the crowd in reciting the famous scripture.
‘I’m Sorry She Couldn’t Hang On Until Today’: The Judd Sisters Honor Naomi Judd at Hall of Fame Celebration While Sharing Intimate Details of Her Passing
In addition to Wynonna’s words, Ashley also spoke in honor of her mom. With tears in her eyes, Ashley told the audience, “My mama loved you so much — and I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today.”
“Your esteem for her and your regard for her really penetrated her heart and it was your affection for her that did keep her going in these last years and please come see Pop,” referring to their stepfather and Naomi’s husband, Larry Strickland. Ashley then pulled focus toward her sister, calling her a GOAT.
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What caused Naomi’s passing is still unclear. In their initial statement sharing the news of her passing, Ashley and Wynonna said this:
“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”
Naomi struggled with mental illness and depression for much of her life. Although still struggling herself, Naomi often used her platform to speak about mental health and hope to derail the stigmas behind it.
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