The holiday season has taken a sorrowful turn for Eddie Levert, the legendary frontman of The O’Jays, as he mourns the tragic loss of his youngest child, Ryan Levert. At just 22 years old, Ryan’s passing has left her family heartbroken.
On December 24, The O’Jays shared the devastating news in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing, “We are devastated over the heartbreaking passing of Ryan Levert. An angel among us, who has returned to heaven. Please respect the family’s need for privacy right now and hold them in your prayers.”
Ryan’s nephew, LeMicah Levert, also expressed his grief in an emotional Instagram post featuring cherished photos of his time with her. “Whenever you didn’t answer the phone, I knew something was wrong, and now I’m going to have that feeling forever. I love you @missryanlevert! I wasn’t prepared for this,” he wrote, reflecting their close bond.
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Ryan bravely battled lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that significantly affected her organs. Her Instagram bio highlighted her journey: “22yrs.? my dad is @eddielevertsr Lupus fighter?” According to family friend Sarah Lyn Murphy, Ryan had recently expressed her desire to raise awareness about lupus. “Ryan was just saying she wanted to start doing more posts about her journey with lupus. I applauded her courage because my mom suffered with lupus too,” Sarah wrote in a Facebook tribute.
Sarah also shared insight into the struggles Ryan endured, stating, “Ryan’s lupus had attacked her organs, and she was suffering, but now the young Queen is at peace.”
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This loss is especially poignant for Eddie, who has already endured the heartbreaking deaths of his two eldest sons, Gerald and Sean Levert. Gerald, a celebrated R&B artist known for his soulful voice, passed away in 2006 at age 40 due to an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Just 16 months later, in 2008, Sean died at 39 following a medical emergency while in jail. The compounded grief has deeply affected Eddie over the years.
Reflecting on his losses in a 2011 interview, Eddie shared his struggle to find meaning. “I wish I could tell you that I had a sense of why, but I don’t,” he said, candidly admitting how hard it was to navigate the pain. Despite his anguish, he focused on being present for his grandchildren, saying, “I really miss them. It’s just hard. But I can’t get caught up in the fact that it wasn’t supposed to be like this, because it happened.”
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Ryan’s vibrant spirit brought joy to her family, particularly through her work on The Levert Opinion, a podcast she co-hosted with her father Eddie, her mother Raquel, and her nephew LeMicah. Just weeks before her passing, Ryan and Eddie recorded a joyful episode together, their warmth and humor shining through.
Ryan often shared her appreciation for her family, especially her mother, Raquel. On Mother’s Day 2020, she posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day to the most amazing person. I know without her I wouldn’t know most of my family… she is the glue that holds us all together.”
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Ryan’s untimely death marks another profound loss for Eddie Levert and his family. As they navigate this heartbreaking chapter, they carry forward the cherished memories of Ryan, Gerald, and Sean. Through unimaginable grief, Eddie continues to exemplify resilience and love, holding onto the legacy and spirit of his children.
