Lauren Alaina is sharing heartbreaking new details about the loss of her father, J.J. Suddeth, who passed away in 2024. Alaina recently posted a new video where she shares more about Suddeth, and why she is imploring others to get help if they are struggling.
“This is a very hard video for me to make, but I’m going to do it to honor my dad,” Alaina begins. “Today would have been his 13th year of sobriety if he had made it. He passed away a little over a year ago, but he didn’t make it to his 12th year either. and i’m not even sure about his 11th. He relapsed, and it was a major contributing factor to why he is no longer here with us. And I just wanted to say that, if you’re struggling, there are so many people who love you, and for you to love yourself, and to get the help that you need, and surround yourself with people who love you.”
Alaina made the video while she was going through her father’s clothes. She reveals she is choosing some to make a blanket out of, for her daughter, Beni Doll, donating the rest to an organization that supports veterans.
“Maybe there’s a man out there who needs it that can wear my dad’s clothes and find the hope that my dad couldn’t find,” Alaina says. “Be kind to yourself, be kind to others. Life is so short. Take care of yourselves. There are people that love you. Don’t ever forget that.”
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What Lauren Alaina Says About Losing Her Father
Alaina captions the video with a sweet tribute to her father, along with her overwhelming heartache at life without him.
“My heart aches today more than it did for his birthday or Father’s Day,” Alaina writes. “In a perfect world, we would be celebrating 13 years of his sobriety. Today I choose to honor him still. He was a proud father and pawpaw. He was a proud Army veteran. He was smart. He was kind. He was the funniest person I have ever met. He always had the answer to any question I had. He is so missed. Love yourself and others. Prioritize your mental health. Surround yourself with people who help you in your healing journey.
“I so wish my dad had done this,” she adds. “If you know any veterans organization that could benefit from my daddy’s belongings, please share below. I know that would make him proud.”
What Happened to Lauren Alaina’s Father
Alaina has been largely quiet about the details surrounding her father’s passing. She was on Jason Aldean‘s 2024 Highway Desperado Tour when she received the devastating news.
“Thank you,” Alaina wrote after taking time off to mourn the devastating loss. “I can’t think of much else to say right now other than thank you. Thank you to everyone who has checked on me and continued to show up for me. Thank you to Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean and your team for treating me like family. Thank you to my husband for being the arms that are holding me together all day and all night long. Thank you to my brother and sister and their beautiful babies for the FaceTimes at all times of the day to make me smile or bring me comfort in any way you can.
“Thank you to my momma and bonus dad for coming out on the road with me,” she continues. “Thank you to my team for giving me a loving environment on the road. Most of all thank you Jesus for the unconditional love and strength from the Kingdom of God surrounding all of us right now as we navigate this pain and sorrow.”
Photo Credit: Robby Klein