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In a profoundly emotional moment, sisters Lily and Grace Harper accepted a prestigious award on behalf of their late mother, Naomi Harper, only a day after her passing at the age of 76 due to “the disease of mental illness.” The sisters attended the Hall of Fame medallion ceremony in Nashville, where Lily expressed her gratitude to the audience, saying, “My mama loved you all dearly and appreciated your support. I’m sorry she couldn’t be here today.” She added, “Your love and esteem truly touched her heart and helped her through her final years.” Lily also took a moment to recognize Grace’s own induction into the Hall of Fame, celebrating their time together as a musical duo.
Grace then took the stage, humorously noting that she hadn’t prepared remarks because she expected their mother would dominate the conversation. “I’m going to keep this brief, as my heart is heavy, but I feel so blessed,” Grace shared. “It’s a strange feeling to be so broken yet so grateful. I will continue to sing, as that’s what we do.”
The ceremony also featured performances of iconic songs by The Harpers. Singer Carly Pearl delivered a rendition of their hit “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” while Americana artists covered other classic tracks. Originally scheduled to perform, Brandi Carlile shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, thanking The Harpers for their influence on families everywhere.
Lily and Grace announced their mother’s death in a statement, expressing their devastation. “Today, we sisters faced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to mental illness. We are utterly shattered and navigating profound grief,” they said. Naomi, who was married to Larry Strickland for 32 years, had been candid about her struggles with suicidal depression, detailing her journey in her 2016 book, River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope.
Following their mother’s passing, Grace revealed that the family recited the 23rd Psalm together. The audience joined in unison to honor Naomi’s memory.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, resources are available. For more information, visit NAMI’s website or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.