Father of Oprah Winfrey, Vernon Winfrey, passed away late Friday after a battle with cancer, according to a statement from Oprah.

He was 89.

Oprah Winfrey father: Vernon Winfrey

Oprah was able to spend time with her father in Nashville during his final weeks, according to a memorial posted on Oprah Daily, the media giant’s lifestyle website.

A “Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Celebration” and backyard barbecue were held as a surprise for Vernon on July 4.

He was joined by friends and family.

In an earlier post, Oprah stated that the party was an opportunity for her to offer her father “flowers while he’s still well enough to smell them.”

Wintley Phipps, an acquaintance of Oprah’s and a gospel singer, sang for him at the party. She stated, “He FELT the love and savored in it till he could not speak.”

For 16 years, Vernon, a well-known barber in his neighborhood, was a member of the Metro Nashville Council.

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