**Duane Allen Mourns the Loss of His Beloved Wife Nora Lee in a Heartfelt Message to Fans**
On March 31st, 2024 — Easter Sunday — Duane Allen, lead singer of the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, suffered the greatest heartbreak of his life. His wife of nearly 55 years, **Nora Lee Allen**, passed away peacefully at 7:28 a.m., surrounded by her loving family at Vanderbilt Hospital. She had been battling an extended illness, and in her final hours, her family gathered close — singing to her, sharing stories, and cherishing every last second God allowed them together on Earth.
In a touching statement released shortly after her passing, Duane wrote, “This morning my wife of 54 years and 8 months took her last breath of air on planet Earth. Nora Lee went to be with Jesus on Easter morning.” Alongside their children, Jamie and Dee, Duane thanked the many friends and medical staff who supported Nora Lee through her long illness. His words carried the weight of deep sorrow, but also the profound gratitude of a man who had spent over half a century in love with one remarkable woman.
Weeks later, Duane opened up even further in a heartfelt Facebook post, giving fans an intimate look into his grieving process. “My big old home is filled with memories of everything she put there,” he shared. “Our home was her castle.” As he walks through the rooms filled with six decades of treasures — heirlooms from parents, grandparents, and keepsakes from their shared life — he now faces the lonely task of sorting through it all. “It is so hard sifting through all of the memories that each mean so much to me and her. But now there is only me to enjoy it.”
Despite the pain, Duane has found comfort in family. Together, they’ve begun the painstaking process of deep cleaning and preserving every photograph, every trinket, every award and keepsake. “Every piece is being handled with kid gloves,” he wrote. He even hired a family friend to clean the entire home from floor to ceiling, determined to preserve the legacy of Nora Lee — not just as his wife, but as a woman of grace, strength, and talent.
The memories often bring tears. Duane recalled finding a drawer where Nora Lee kept money so that their children, and now grandchildren, would always have lunch money. It was a small gesture, yet one that exemplified her quiet, constant love. “I have a hard time even finishing sentences without crying since I lost the most beautiful lady I ever met,” he confessed. “She was the love of my life.”
Nora Lee Allen was more than a devoted wife and mother. She was also a respected figure in country music, having spent nearly 40 years as a backup singer at the Grand Ole Opry. She stood behind some of the genre’s most iconic names, leaving a mark onstage as well as off. Her passing at the age of 76 leaves behind not just a void in the Oak Ridge Boys family, but in the entire country music community.
In one of the most vulnerable moments of his life, Duane Allen chose to speak directly to the fans who had supported him for decades. He thanked them for their prayers, for their encouragement, and for continuing to walk alongside him through his grief. “God Almighty let me share her for 54 years and 8 months of the happiest years of my life,” he wrote. “I don’t know where this will lead, but I can assure you that every memory is being kept with love and care.”
Even in mourning, Duane’s message was filled with grace. It wasn’t just an update; it was a tribute — a love letter to Nora Lee and to the many people who have embraced their journey. In sharing his heartbreak, he reminded us of the power of love, memory, and faith.
As the Oak Ridge Boys family and fans around the world continue to grieve alongside him, we hold Duane Allen in our hearts. We remember Nora Lee — not only as a talented vocalist, but as a woman who built a life, a home, and a legacy defined by devotion.