Country music lost one of its brightest and most beloved voices this week. Lulu Roman, the comic firecracker who made America laugh on Hee Haw and later touched hearts as a gospel singer, has died at the age of 78, Variety reports.
Born Bertha Louise Hable in Dallas, Roman’s life was shaped early by heartbreak. Abandoned at a young age and raised in an orphanage, she faced bullying and health struggles from the start. Yet even as a child, she discovered that laughter could be armor—and healing.
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In 1969, when producers of Hee Haw were hunting for a plus-sized comedian to round out their new cast, country legend Buck Owens knew exactly who to call. “I got your girl. She’s in Dallas!” he said, and with that, Roman’s life changed forever. She would become one of the show’s most recognizable faces, appearing in 158 of its 352 episodes across nearly 25 years.
Roman’s quick wit, self-deprecating humor, and undeniable presence made her a fan favorite. But behind the laughter, she was battling personal demons. Struggling with drug addiction, she disappeared from Hee Haw for two years in the early ’70s after an arrest and jail time. Roman later spoke candidly about her past, describing herself as a “screamin’ cr𝐚zy” hippie comedian in her Dallas days—far from the polished gospel singer she would become.
Faith ultimately gave Roman a second act. After a friend encouraged her to attend church following her second stint in jail, she found religion—and it changed everything. She returned to Hee Haw, a different woman, committed to her sobriety and with a new sense of purpose. Gospel music soon became central to her life. Roman recorded over a dozen albums, winning a Dove Award in 1985 and earning a spot in the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame by 1999.
Even as her music career blossomed, Roman never lost her sense of humor. She joked that “sugar became my first drug” during her childhood in the orphanage—an early glimpse into the resilience and raw honesty that made fans love her.
Health challenges continued into her later years, but Roman faced them with the same determination. After reaching 380 pounds and relying on a scooter, she underwent weight loss surgery in the 2000s, eventually shedding 200 pounds. “Now not only can I walk, but I can run,” she once said, proudly.
Roman’s death was confirmed by her son, Damon Roman. She had been living with him in Washington state at the time of her passing. She was predeceased by her younger son, Justin Collin Roman, who died in 2017—a loss she often said deepened her faith even further.
Tributes poured in from across the country. “We loved her. She was such a talented person, a great entertainer, a great singer, and a wonderful Christian lady,” said Ricky Skaggs. Singer Lee Greenwood called her “a legend in our industry,” whose joyful spirit lifted everyone around her.
Lulu Roman’s story was never perfect, and that’s exactly why it mattered. She didn’t just make America laugh. She taught them that brokenness can be beautiful.
She turned scars into songs. She turned sorrow into punchlines.
And somehow, she made the whole country feel a little more human because of it.
