logo
Ronnie Mislap | Source: Getty Images
Ronnie Mislap | Source: Getty Images

Ronnie Milsap Turned 80: He Loves His 'Very Special' Three Grandkids Whom He Spoiled with Late Wife

Daniella Segell
Jan 17, 2023
04:30 P.M.
  • Ronnie Milsap turns 80!

  • He was dedicated to his wife of 54 years until her death.

  • Ronnie Milsap is so crazy about his three grandchildren, who were left behind after the death of his son.

Advertisement

Famous for how he impacted the American music landscape, Ronnie Milsap has come through many trials and tribulations to reach the stage he's at in his life. He is now celebrating his 80th year on earth.

Milsap survived the deaths of his son and his wife, to whom he was devoted for 54 years until her death. He now finds joy in spending time with his grandchildren, who are reminders of his lost child.

Ronnie Milsap celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday, January 16, 2023. He is now the same age as his wife was when she passed away in 2021. Milsap and his late wife, Joyce, met in 1960 when they attended the same dinner party.

Advertisement

Milsap, a blind man, described their first meeting as "love at first sound." Their bond quickly developed, and they married soon after their first meeting. Joyce is said to have encouraged her husband throughout his career.

Milsap revealed it was her idea for them to move to Nashville in 1972 in pursuit of a better music career for Milsap. She also judged the songs sent to him and told him whether or not they were winners.

Ronnie Milsap and wife Francis Joyce Reeves attend the 26th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 24, 1991 at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California | Source: Getty Images

Ronnie Milsap and wife Francis Joyce Reeves attend the 26th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 24, 1991 at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California | Source: Getty Images

Joyce was also the inspiration behind many of the singer's greatest hits, like "Smokey Mountain Rain" and "Show Her." Later in his career, Milsap was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He mused:

"It's always been a dream to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. That's the highest honor they can bestow. Joycie has been with me through all of this. She's seen me through."

Advertisement

Sadly, Joyce could not be with her husband when he was inducted because she was battling leukemia at the time. Seven years later, Joyce passed away at 81, and Milsap shared the official statement confirming the news.

Ronnie Milsap and Joyce Milsap celebrate at Ronnie's Place, Black River Entertainment on January 16, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Ronnie Milsap and Joyce Milsap celebrate at Ronnie's Place, Black River Entertainment on January 16, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

He said that she was the music behind all of his songs and had seen him through many difficult times in his life. He reminisced on their time together, admitting that what he put into his songs couldn't describe his wife.

He then said she was a wonderful wife and mother to their only son. He also said she was an ecstatically happy grandmother to the couple's son's children. Milsap then said how much he loved and would miss his wife.

Ronnie Milsap and His Wife of 54 Years Lost Their Only Son

Advertisement

Milsap and Joyce's son, Todd, was 49 when he passed away. Before that, he worked with his father on his musical projects. Todd was found unresponsive on his houseboat in Four Corners Marina, Nashville, by his son.

Ronnie Milsap (C) his wife Joyce and son Todd attend rehearsals for the Ray Charles tribute evening held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel September 29, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Ronnie Milsap (C) his wife Joyce and son Todd attend rehearsals for the Ray Charles tribute evening held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel September 29, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Todd's son went looking for his father because he had not heard from him for two days. He found him dead, and authorities said that his death appeared to be medically related, but nothing further was said. Talking about the loss, Milsap reflected:

"Our son, Todd, was a force of joy, life, creativity, and giving from the moment he was born."

Milsap mentioned that his son made an enormous impact on everyone that met him, and he would not wish a child's death on anyone else. Todd was survived by his three children, their mothers, and his parents.

Advertisement

After the statement Milsap released, he asked that fans and friends keep Todd's children and he and his wife in their prayers during their difficult grieving period. Todd passed away in 2019, two years before his mother.

Ronnie Milsap Is "So Crazy" about His Three Grandchildren

Todd's three children are daughters Kye and Mya and son Wyler. Milsap and his wife enjoyed the children together, and Milsap mentioned that the children enjoyed their grandparents just as much.

Advertisement

Milsap shared that his grandchildren spent two to three days a week at his and Joyce's house when they were younger. He said he didn't know if any of his grandchildren would end up in the music industry, but Mya sang, and all his grandchildren were creative and intelligent.

Joyce and Milsap often talked about their grandchildren, how much they loved them, and what they did for them. Milsap, once admitted:

"We are so crazy about our grandchildren. We're fanatics … When it comes to our grandkids, we spoil them, we love them, and we're thankful for them."

Advertisement
Portrait of Ronnie Milsap in 1970 | Source: Getty Images

Portrait of Ronnie Milsap in 1970 | Source: Getty Images

He also confessed that he and Joyce did not discipline their children apart from breaking up sibling arguments. Their idea was that they would go home to their mothers and would be disciplined there.

Subscribe to AmoMama on Google News!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

This Woman Won a Huge Star's Heart — Carrying His Baby, She Begged Him Not to Take the Plane That Would Crash Hours Later

March 12, 2024

Husband Files for Divorce When His Wife Gets Pregnant for the Fifth Time — Story of the Day

February 14, 2024

I Caused Yelling & Crying at My Boyfriend's Mom's Birthday Because She Kept Calling Me by the Wrong Name

May 04, 2024

Poor Mom of Triplets Never Allows Anyone into Her House, Plumber Arrives There on Emergency Call — Story of the Day

February 19, 2024

Am I Wrong for Ruining My Brother's Wedding?

March 14, 2024

Grammy Winner & ‘Steve & Eydie’ Singer Steve Lawrence Passes Away – Cause of Death Revealed

March 08, 2024

These Twins Lost Their Star Dad at 15 – He Fathered Them in His 60s With His Fifth Wife

April 04, 2024

'Pins & Needles': Prince Had Severe Pain in His Hands & Looked 'Frail' before He Died in an Elevator at 57

February 07, 2024

Three Out of 5 Siblings Died Abruptly before 43: Tragic Story of the Carter Family

April 29, 2024

8 Late Female Stars Who Passed on Their Beauty to Their Daughters – Photos of Their Reincarnated Looks

May 15, 2024

Woman Saves Money to Provide for Two Children, but in Her Old Age They Kick Her Out of House — Story of the Day

March 08, 2024

Robbers Tricked a Cop – Story of the Day

February 06, 2024

Toby Keith Raised His 3 'Great Kids' Adopting His Wife's Daughter – Only One of Them Followed in His Footsteps

February 06, 2024

OJ Simpson Dies — Family Speaks Up with a Request in the Wake of His Passing

April 12, 2024