Brenda Jackson, 1954-2019

Brenda Jackson, the mother of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, has died at the age of 65.

JR Motorsports announced the news Monday afternoon, revealing that Jackson had been battling cancer.

Before marrying seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1972, she was known by her maiden name, Brenda Gee. Her father was former NASCAR fabricator Robert Gee, who built cars for several drivers, including Earnhardt.

Following her separation from Earnhardt, Jackson raised her two children until a house fire destroyed her home. While Brenda was forced to start over with family in Virginia, the event sent a young Dale and Kelley to live with their father.

Brenda remarried in 1985 and, when her husband, Willie Jackson, retired, the two moved back to North Carolina. In 2004 she joined JRM as an accounting specialist.