The Oak Ridge Boys have faced a particularly difficult year, with two band members losing their wives and another having to retire due to 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 from fans since his wife’s passing. He admitted that going through Norah’s belongings has been emotional but important in preserving her memory and their family history.
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. They are taking comfort in knowing that they have a strong fan base behind them who will always be there to support them through any challenges they may face in the future.