Country singer Jody Miller dies at age 80 after suffering complications from Parkinson’s Disease

Country singer Jody Miller has died of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 80.

The Grammy award winner died Thursday in her hometown of Blanchard, Oklahoma, seven years after being diagnosed with the disease. The Oklahoman.

She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death.

Miller is known as a pioneer for female artists who have achieved success after a crossover, according to Tulsa Road.

“I started out as a folk singer…and what got me into country music was actually that Grammy,” she previously told The Oklahoman.

She received a Grammy for her 1965 song Queen of the House, which hit number 5 on the country chart and number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to Tulsa Road.

Her other hits include Home Of The Brave, Look At Mine and If You Think I Love You Now (I Just Started).

Miller has been recognized as a pioneer for female artists who have achieved crossover success

In addition to country and folk, she made gospel records later in her life. She was also inducted into the Country Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on her career, she previously told Tulsa Road: “Besides Queen of the House, I’d say the biggest record for me was He’s So Fine (in 1971), a remake of the old Chiffons hit.

“I really came back to that and got the Billboard award (for Artist Resurgence of the Year). It sold as many as Queen of the House, and told people on Music Row in Nashville that there was another audience that could pick up country music.”

Miller pictured with fellow Grammy winners Johnny Mandel and Herb Alpert

Miller was born in Phoenix, Arizona while her family traveled to Oakland, California, according to The Oklahoman. She grew up in Blanchard, Oklahoma, but lived in Los Angeles for eight years. She returned to Blanchard in 1969.

Not long after moving to Los Angeles, Miller signed a recording contract with Capitol after reaching out to Western actor Dale Robertson, who helped her audition with the company. Robertson was also connected to the family of Miller’s husband, Monty Brooks.

“It’s a Cinderella story. …I arrived in LA and was married for six months. It was the summer of ’62 and next year I had a contract with Capitol,’ she said.

Miller married Monty Brooks in 1962 and was married to him until his death in 2014, according to The Oklahoman.