Updated

Mississippi Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee died Friday, following a battle with brain cancer. He was 56.

His family said in a statement that Nunnelee "has gone home to be with Jesus."

"He was well loved and will be greatly missed," the family said.

The congressman, elected in 2010 after serving more than a decade in the Mississippi state Senate, was known as a fighter.

Decades ago, he had lost much of his eyesight because of a degenerative disease, but it was restored through corneal transplants. In 2014, he suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor.

Though he could not take the oath at the start of the 114th Congress, the House passed a resolution so he could be sworn in by a judge in Mississippi.

Nunnelee was told in January that a new tumor had developed and no further medical treatment was possible.

Nunnelee is survived by his wife, Tori, and three children.