Gwen Yearwood, the mother of country music performer Trisha Yearwood and the co-author of two recently published cooking books with her daughter, has died at age 73.

Yearwood died early Saturday morning in Tifton, Ga., after a long fight with cancer. A statement to the Associated Press says Trisha Yearwood and her sister Beth were by their mother’s side when she died.

“The family is deeply appreciative of the care and concern they’ve received throughout this journey,” the statement said.

Gwen Yearwood, a teacher who lived in Monticello, Ga., for much of her life, wrote two cookbooks with her daughters: “Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen,” released in 2008, followed by “Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood,” issued in 2010.

Trisha Yearwood, a Grammy-winning singer, was among country music’s most popular acts before going into semi-retirement with her husband Garth Brooks in Oklahoma. She continues to be a popular draw when she performs and said recently she hopes soon to hit Broadway when her stepchildren are all in college.

In a recent interview with GAC to promote a cooking special she taped with her mother, Trisha Yearwood described her mother as a real example to her in many different ways. She said Gwen Yearwood’s independent streak and expression of true love for her husband of more than four decades, the late Jack Yearwood, were inspirations.

“I think my mom is the bomb,” Trisha Yearwood said. “I’m very lucky. I’m one of those kids who has a mom who everybody loves. So when my mom comes to Oklahoma and visits and she’s gone, everybody’s like, ‘When’s your mom coming back?”’

The family statement thanked well-wishers and asked that expressions of sympathy be directed to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which helps fund breast cancer research, in Gwen Yearwood’s name.

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