Tanya Tucker's older brother Don has died. The country icon revealed the news in a heartfelt social media post on Friday (January 29).
According to his obituary, Jesse Donald Tucker died on January 12 at the age of 76 after a battle with dementia and COVID-19. Alongside a photo of herself with Don, Tucker opened up about her relationship with her brother and their last moments together.
"January 12, 2021...My brother Don got his wings that day...," Tucker's caption began. "I went to see him in the hospital just before. He didn't recognize me. I hadn’t seen him in years, but I felt like it might be the last time I’d see him again. He was frail and I knew his time was near."
"We sang and I told him stories hoping to jog his memory, we FaceTimed our cousin Leland Tucker in Texas, but he didn’t recognize him either. I put one of Leland’s crosses around his neck and told him that I loved him. He was happier and light with no anger, no bitterness, all the bad was gone," she continued. "He started singing 'Well hello there, My it’s been a long long time. How my doing, well I guess I’m doing fine (Then I sang) 'Well I gotta go now, guess I’ll see you around. Don’t know when though or when I’ll be back in town. Ain’t it surprising how time slips away...The years they have slipped away'"
Tucker went on to add that she feels "sorry that we didn’t have the relationship that we should have had, but all is forgiven just like I wrote and sang on Bring My Flowers Now. All that came between us was now so very unimportant and small. There was a gentle peace that wrapped around my heart and I’m so very thankful that God chose me to be his little sister and he to be my big brother. All is well."
The singer added, "He’s soaring now, wings stretched out and flying higher than eagles dare. He’s free. No more chains. No more sadness! Sail on big brother... sail on...Love You! ❤️" She signed her note, "Your little sis, Tanya 'punkin' Tucker."
See the complete post below.
Photo: Getty Images