The Final Sunset for His Mother: Jelly Roll Holds Donna DeFord’s Hand as She Passes Away in His Arms

Nashville, Tennessee – January 8, 2026

In a heartbreaking moment that has left fans and the music community in mourning, country-rap star Jelly Roll — born Jason DeFord — canceled all commitments to be by his mother Donna DeFord’s side in her final hours. Donna passed away peacefully in her son’s arms, surrounded by family, bringing a profound close to a relationship marked by love, struggle, and redemption.

The news was shared quietly through a family statement early this morning, confirming Donna’s passing after a long battle with health complications. Jelly Roll, who had been increasingly open about his mother’s declining condition in recent months, dropped everything — tours, recordings, appearances — to return home and hold her hand one last time.

“Donna was his rock, even through the hardest times,” a close family friend told reporters. “He wanted her to know she was loved, safe, and not alone in that final sunset.”

Jelly Roll has long credited his mother with shaping his life, despite a childhood filled with challenges including poverty, addiction, and incarceration. In interviews and lyrics, he often spoke of Donna’s unwavering support and the pain of watching her health fade. “She believed in me when no one else did,” he said in a recent podcast. “Everything I do is for her.”

The 41-year-old artist, whose rise from hardship to Grammy-nominated stardom has inspired millions, had been candid about the toll Alzheimer’s and other issues were taking on Donna. Her passing marks the end of a chapter that Jelly Roll frequently described as his greatest motivation — and deepest heartache.

Fans flooded social media with condolences, sharing how Jelly Roll’s raw honesty about family, loss, and redemption helped them through their own struggles. #RIPDonna and #JellyRollStrong trended worldwide, with thousands posting memories of his songs dedicated to her.

No details on services have been released, as the family requests privacy during this time of grief.

Jelly Roll’s journey has always been one of turning pain into purpose. Today, as he mourns the woman who gave him life and never gave up on him, the world mourns with him.

Rest in peace, Donna DeFord. Your son made you proud — and carried your love into every note he ever sang. ❤️