'Hee Haw' comedian Lulu Roman dies at 78

Lulu Roman, the gospel singer who built a loyal fan base for herself with the long-running country music variety show, has passed away at the age of 78.

Her son Damon Roman revealed that she breathed her last on Wednesday, April 23, in Bellingham.

Seven months before her death, the brash Hee Haw comedian moved there to be with her son, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Notably, officially, no cause of her death has been revealed as of yet.

Lulu, whose real name is Bertha Louise Hable, was born in a home for unwed mothers and was subsequently dropped off at a Baptist orphanage in Dallas.

A thyroid condition would cause her to be overweight, and she was never adopted, but Lulu made sure to carve a successful path for her.

She first appeared on the first episode of CBS’ Hee Haw in June 1969 and on the last one, with the show in syndication, in June 1993.

Lulu’s departure from Hee Haw came after she was arrested for drug possession in March 1971 and sentenced to four years in prison 10 months later.

In 1973, she converted to Christianity and was reinstated on the show after her successfull efforts in persuading the producers to let her sing again.

Throughout the show’s run, she transformed into a gospel artist, releasing more than a dozen albums, performing live, and collaborating with prominent artists like Dolly Parton