Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Mother, Brenda Jackson, Dies at 65: Reports

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Mother, Brenda Jackson, Dies at 65: Reports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a file photo. AP Photo/LM Otero
Jack Phillips
Updated:

The mother of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. passed away at the age of 65, according to a report.

JR Motorsports announced the death of Brenda Jackson on its official website, saying she had been an employee with the racing team.

“Known for her wit, charisma and unparalleled ability to cut to the heart of any matter, Jackson became an instant favorite to her friends and colleagues at JR Motorsports when she joined the company as an accounting specialist in 2004,” said the company in a statement on April 22.

The statement noted that she was battling cancer.

Jackson was married to Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1972 before having two children, including Dale Jr. and Kelly.

“I’m glad her suffering has ended and she can be at peace. She would be in tears of happiness over the words of support and remembrance she’s been shown today. Our family appreciates it as well. She will live in our hearts forever,” Dale Jr. wrote on Twitter.

Kelly, in a statement on Twitter, wrote that there is “no more suffering [and] no more pain.”

“Thank you to all that are offering your prayers, hugs & support,” she continued, according to PopCulture.com.

Fox Sports NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds also posted a touching message about Jackson.

“We all at [NASCAR on Fox and Fox Sports 1] send our thoughts & prayers out to [Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt] and the entire Earnhardt Family in the loss of a Very Special Woman, Brenda Jackson, Your Mom!” McReynolds said via Twitter. “She is in a much better place now than we are!”

“I am a very, very lucky woman, as I get to interact with my kids almost every day,” she said in 2018, according to JR Motorsports.

Notable Celebrity Deaths in 2019

Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2019. The rapper was shot dead in late March. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)
Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2019. The rapper was shot dead in late March. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
Luke Perry
Undated file photo of Luke Perry. (Newsmakers)
Undated file photo of Luke Perry. Newsmakers
Peter Tork
Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019. (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019. Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
Albert Finney
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images
James Ingram
Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote, “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”
Singer James Ingram died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Singer James Ingram died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. Getty Images
Fatima Ali

“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Jan. 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.

Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her: “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote.

“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram)
“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. Instagram
Carol Channing
Carol Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television, died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll said Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Carol Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television, died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll said Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. Jim Cole/AP Photo, File
Bob Einstein
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Comedian and actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Daryl Dragon

Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)
Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. Hillel Italie/AP

Daryl Dragon, or “Captain,” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.

Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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