This year has been particularly challenging for The Oak Ridge Boys, with three band members losing their wives and another having to retire for health reasons. The most recent loss was frontman Duane Allen’s wife, Norah Lee Allen, who passed away on Easter. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Duane expressed his gratitude for the love and support he has received since his wife’s passing. He mentioned that going through Norah’s belongings has been emotional but important in preserving her memory and their family history.
Duane admitted that he has been struggling with the loss of his beloved wife, describing her as the love of his life. Just hours after Norah’s death, it was revealed that singer Richard Sterban’s wife, Donna, also experienced loss as her father passed away. These events added to the band’s already difficult year, with Phyllis Carr, Donnie Carr’s wife, passing away in March and band member Bonsall retiring in January due to health issues.
Despite the challenges faced by The Oak Ridge Boys, they remain grateful for the support and prayers from their fans during this tough time. The band is relying on faith and cherished memories to get through these losses and continue their music career.