Lauren Alaina is mourning the passing of her stepfather, Sam Ramker, who died early Sunday morning (October 21) after a battle with cancer.
Lauren had cancelled several shows in recent months in order to spend time with her family following Ramker’s stage IV melanoma diagnosis in March.
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23-year old Alaina paid tribute to her step dad and detailed his final moments in a heart-wrenching social media post that included a photo of her mom Kristy, her boyfriend Alex, Ramker and Lauren following her ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year win.
“My stepdad, Sam, went to heaven at one o’clock this morning. He was the purest example of how to love and live life fully. His last few hours were some of the most amazing moments I know I will ever have the privilege of witnessing,” Lauren wrote before sharing that Sam told his family he saw Jesus and had found Heaven in the hours before his death.
“He opened his eyes last night. They shined the brightest I’ve ever seen anyone’s eyes shine, and he said, ‘Jesus.’ We said, ‘What do you see Sam?’ He said, ‘It’s so beautiful.’ Mom asked him who he saw and he told her a bunch of people, including his mama. He later said, ‘I love you all. I found it.’ My mom asked him what he found and he said, ‘Heaven. I’ve got to go.'” the American Idol alum shared.
Lauren, who is a devout Christian, challenged her social media followers to be more like Sam and to use his life as an example. “We are only here for a short amount of time, and we have to live like there is no tomorrow.”
The singer praised Ramker, who married her mother following her parent’s divorce in 2013, as “the most compassionate person in the world” and “a great dad.”
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Our thoughts and prayers are with Lauren Alaina and her family during this difficult time.