Christian and country singer-songwriter Coffey Anderson is mourning the loss of his ex-wife, Criscilla Crossland Anderson, who passed away on December 1 after a long battle with cancer. She was 45.Taking to Instagram on Tuesday night, Coffey Anderson shared a carousel showing memorable moments from Criscilla’s life. He captioned his post:“Criscilla defined strength and a fighter like no other person on the planet. Heaven gained a star today [heartbreak emoji]. She said before she passed, ‘If you see a butterfly, that will be me. If you miss me, a butterfly will show up. Remember… I’ll be there with you.’ [butterfly emoji]”It continued:“We miss you already. Our hearts are shattered. Our minds are jumbled. Our lives will never be the same. The house is quieter because you’re missing. The babies are resilient and strong as ever. We did good with them. So, dance your heart out on the beach in heaven… I love you more. 143.”Coffey Anderson and Criscilla Crossland divorced in 2023 after 16 years of marriage. In his social media tribute, Coffey Anderson, 46, addressed his late ex-wife and wrote that she would no longer feel the “pain” that came with her cancer journey, adding that Criscilla would now be able to “meet the two babies we lost.” He concluded his message with the hashtag #cancersucks. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostExploring Coffey Anderson’s relationship with Criscilla CrosslandCoffey Anderson crossed paths with Criscilla Crossland at a church in 2008 on a blind date set up by their mutual friends. Less than a year later, in February 2009, the ex-couple tied the knot. They welcomed three children, a son and two daughters. The Mr Red White & Blue artist also has a daughter from a past relationship.Criscilla and Coffey appeared on the 2020 Netflix reality series, Country Ever After. Two years later, in July, they filed for a divorce with children petition at the District Court of Denton County in Texas. It was finalized in 2023.Criscilla Crossland was an actress, hip-hop dancer, and choreographer who collaborated with A-listers such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Snoop Dogg. She was part of the 2022 run of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT.Jewellery designer Brian Gavin launched a diamond collection in her name called “Bent, Not Broken: Criscilla Collection.” As for Coffey Anderson’s ex-wife’s Instagram bio, it reads:“Jesus 1st | Divorced | mom of 4 | Rebuilding what was broken and becoming who I was meant to be.”Crossland shared her dance and choreography routines, cancer journey, and family life with her 181,000 Instagram followers. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostTaking a glance at Criscilla Crossland's cancer journeyUpon Criscilla’s demise, her photographer friend Lindsey took to her Instagram and shared the news and pictures of the deceased.“Hey y’all… It’s Lindsey (@lovesongphotography). My heart is shattered to share this. I promised Criscilla I would walk this journey with her whenever she couldn’t stand on her own two feet, and I pray she knows how fiercely she was loved. Being by her side until the very end was the greatest honor of my life.”The caption also featured a heartfelt message from Criscilla Crossland, penned by her before she passed away.“My sweet community, if you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love. Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply. I am not gone… I’m Home.”In her emotional message, Criscilla left behind words of encouragement for all her children, calling them my “whole heart.”“Ethan, you made me a mom. I’m still beside you, cheering you on. Savannah, my bonus girl — you were a gift God knew I needed. Emmarie, my Jesus-loving dancer — keep dancing through every season. Everleigh, my bright spark — chase your dreams boldly and without fear,” it read.Coffey Anderson’s ex-wife mentioned how she was “watching over” her kids, adding that in moments that felt “warm, familiar, or too beautiful to be a coincidence,” it was her “still mothering” and being around them. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostCriscilla also left behind emotional notes for her “circle of women – my sisters” who held her, wiped her tears, made her laugh, and helped her through her cancer journey. She called them “God’s hands in my life for years.”Crossland gave a shoutout to the rest of her family for loving her unconditionally and urged them to take care of each other, while reminding them that her “love is still wrapped around you.” The message concluded with the words:“And to @lovesongphotography —the best photographer on the planet… thank you for capturing my life so beautifully year after year. No more Photoshop, sis — Jesus just gave this girl wings! Be gentle with each other. Hold my children close. And remember: heaven isn’t as far away as it feels. I love you all. Always — Criscilla.”Coffey Anderson’s ex-wife was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in May 2018 after she fell ill during a dance event in Louisville, Kentucky. She soon returned home to California, where she underwent treatment including surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.She went into remission, but the cancer relapsed in November 2019 with advanced stage 4. At the time, Coffey Anderson told PEOPLE:“When you say that you will be there for each other through thick and thin and through sickness and health, you have to mean it. There are a lot of moments that you can never prepare for… But we are willing to do it for each other. Each of us is giving 100 per cent.”Last month, Criscilla was hospitalized after suffering a stroke and “cancerous fluid” surrounding her heart. Later, she was also paralysed from the waist down. She underwent surgery and an MRI of the brain and was sent back home over the weekend.Criscilla Crossland Anderson's fearless battle with cancer, unyielding faith, and devoted motherhood leave a profound legacy of resilience, inspiring thousands through her artistry, love, and final words of hope that echo eternally.