Scotty McCreery Mourns the Loss of Both Grandmothers in a Single Day
Some heartbreaks hit without warning—and this week, Scotty McCreery experienced one that cut to the core.
The beloved North Carolina country star shared the devastating news that both of his grandmothers, Janet Hunter Cooke and Paquita McCreery, passed away just hours apart. What was meant to be a week of celebration around his new album and radio show quickly turned into one of the hardest chapters of his life.
It was Scotty’s mother, Judy, who first revealed the tragedy in a deeply personal Facebook post. Janet, 85, had been battling norovirus and pneumonia. Not long after, 93-year-old Paquita, who had been in declining health, also passed. The double loss left the McCreery family reeling—one sorrow folding right into another, forcing them to rely on faith, memories, and each other to stay grounded.
Fans may remember Paquita from her memorable appearance on Celebrity Family Feud—quick-witted and full of spark even in her nineties. And Grandma Janet was a pillar of family life, remembered for summers on the farm and beach trips along the Outer Banks. These weren’t just relatives—they were cornerstones in Scotty’s life story.
Scotty took to Instagram to share his own grief, calling the losses “shocking” and reflecting on the countless moments that defined his bond with them—from pool days back home in Pinehurst to cherished trips to Puerto Rico where Grandma Paquita gave him a deeper connection to family.
Country music has always found its soul in stories like these—not just about stages and awards, but about the people behind the scenes. The ones waiting at home, praying through the night, and cheering loudest from the front row. Scotty has long been known for his humility and warmth, and this moment of loss reveals how rooted he is in the love that shaped him.
“They both taught me what love really means,” he said. Words that hit hardest when you’ve lived them.
This kind of grief—the kind that takes two matriarchs in one breath—will no doubt find its way into a song one day. Because stories like this don’t just stay in the heart. They echo.
So tonight, maybe let “Five More Minutes” play a little louder. Light a candle. Hug your loved ones a little tighter. And if you can, send a prayer to the McCreery family.
They could use the love right now.