Lulu Roman: A Life of Laughter, Music, and Redemption Lulu Roman dies

Lulu Roman, the beloved comedian and gospel singer who warmed hearts on the long-running country variety show Hee Haw, has passed away at the age of 78. Known for her humor, powerful voice, and inspiring life story, Lulu brought joy to millions while overcoming great personal struggles.

Born as Bertha Louise Hable on May 6, 1946, her early life was far from easy. She was born in a home for unwed mothers and soon placed in a Baptist orphanage in Dallas, Texas. Due to a thyroid condition, Lulu struggled with her weight throughout her life and was never adopted. But even in tough times, she had a spark that would one day light up television screens across America.

During her high school years, Lulu faced a battle with drug addiction. After graduating in 1964 from W.W. Samuell High School, she took to performing in Dallas nightclubs to make a living. She jokingly billed herself as "Lulu Roman, the World’s Biggest Go-Go Dancer." These nightclubs were owned by Jack Ruby, a name that would later become infamous in American history.

It was during this time that Lulu met Buck Owens, a country music superstar who saw something special in her. He appreciated her quick wit and sense of humor and played a key role in her big break. When casting began for a new country-themed comedy show called Hee Haw in 1969, Owens suggested Lulu to the producers. As she once explained, “They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman. Buck said, ‘I got your girl! She’s in Dallas!’”

Lulu became part of the original Hee Haw cast when it premiered on CBS in June 1969. She stayed with the show through its entire run until its final syndicated episode in 1993. Her comedy segments, like “The Culhanes,” “Truck Stop,” and “The Jug Band,” became fan favorites. Her larger-than-life personality and natural charm made her a standout.

But Lulu's journey wasn’t always filled with laughter. In 1971, she was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to four years in prison. She admitted to using drugs such as marijuana, LSD, speed, and meth. This difficult chapter in her life could have ended her career, but instead, it marked the beginning of a powerful transformation.

In 1973, Lulu found faith and turned her life around. She became a Christian and was later welcomed back to Hee Haw. With her new path came a new purpose — she began singing gospel music and used her story to inspire others facing similar battles.

Lulu released her first gospel album in 1974, eventually recording over a dozen albums. She sang with legends like Dolly Parton and George Jones and even won a Dove Award in 1985 for her album You Were Loving Me. In 2013, she released At Last, a collection of classic standards that showed off her beautiful, soulful voice.

In addition to Hee Haw, Lulu also appeared on TV shows like The Love Boat and Touched by an Angel, as well as in the 1972 film Corky. She was also featured in the Hee Haw Honeys spinoff show during 1978–79. In 1999, she was honored with an induction into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

In 2019, she shared her life story in her autobiography, This Is My Story; This Is My Song, giving fans an inside look into her struggles, her faith, and her triumphs.

Lulu's life was not without more heartbreak. In 2017, her youngest son, Justin, passed away. Despite personal tragedies, Lulu remained strong, always leaning on her faith and her love of music and laughter.

In the final chapter of her life, she moved to Bellingham, Washington, to be with her son Damon. She passed away there on April 17, 2024. The cause of death has not been released.

Friends and fans have been paying tribute to Lulu’s legacy. Misty Rowe, her longtime Hee Haw co-star, shared touching memories of their friendship, calling Lulu her “angel in heaven.” Country singer T. Graham Brown, who had known Lulu for over 40 years, remembered her as someone who “made people happy” and praised her for sharing her story of recovery and hope with others.

Reflecting on her time on Hee Haw, Lulu once said, “It was my family. I loved every second of it, I did. It really is a heart thing. It really is precious that people still remember it. That’s rich. It is.”

Lulu Roman leaves behind a powerful legacy — one of laughter, resilience, and faith. She showed the world that it’s never too late to change, to rise above your past, and to bring light into the lives of others. Through her music, comedy, and courage, Lulu will continue to inspire for generations to come.