Nelson, once known as Debbie Mathers, died in her Missouri hometown. Her rocky relationship with Eminem was chronicled in his early work.

Debbie Nelson, a single mother from Missouri whose tumultuous relationship with her eldest son, the rapper Eminem, provided fodder for some of his early hits, died on Monday. She was 69. The death was confirmed by Dennis Dennehy, a longtime representative for Eminem. He did not say where she died or cite a cause.

Debbie Nelson, the single mother of rapper Eminem, whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics, has died. She was 69.