Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

The Untimely Deaths of Loretta Lynn’s Kids

The Tragic Deaths Of Loretta Lynn's Children
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Loretta Lynn’s kids experienced untimely deaths that shook the singer’s family forever. People say that the children of the queen of country music are always lucky. They have a perfect life and have a rich background thanks to their famous mom. But unfortunately, tragedy struck some of Lynn’s kids and grandchildren.

Building a Young Family

Loretta Lynn and her husband Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” Lynn married when she was only 15. Before she rose to stardom, the country legend was a young mother first. Marrying young has its own ups and downs. She is a mom to four kids in her early 20s while a wife to a young man who’s still young to think straight on responsibilities.

Nonetheless, it was Oliver that pushed Loretta to pursue a career in music. Her songs talked about the marital problems they have experienced throughout the years. They seem to have a perfect life on the outside, but later on, they revealed that she was unhappy with it. Oliver’s alcohol addiction and frequent infidelity were some of their problems, which caused a ruckus to the family.

Tragedies of the Lynn Family

The sad ending of Loretta Lynn’s children started with the couple’s eldest son Jack Benny Lynn. In July 1984, Jack rode his horse without company around the family estate near Waverly, Tennessee. He was only 34 years old when his untimely death happened. According to reports, the eldest son tried to cross a river in the property but failed miserably, causing him to fall and drown. Loretta was incredibly devastated that reports claimed the Country Hall of Famer cried non-stop at his 45-minute funeral.

1996 was the year that Loretta’s husband died. The death was attributed to health problems, specifically diabetes-related. The veteran singer admits that he was an alcohol and a womanizer at the same time. Yet, the two stayed married for 50 years until Doolittle’s death. They bore a total of six kids.

After Jack and Doolittle died, it was years later that death came knocking again on the family’s door. Betty Sue, the daughter and eldest child, met her life’s ending when she had emphysema complications at age 64. She has two surviving daughters and five grandchildren, which kept the family’s seniors supported and accompanied.

Everyone thought that they wouldn’t experience another death for maybe ten years or more. However, that’s not the plan. The family’s eldest grandson Jeffrey Allen Lynn suddenly passed away. Loretta’s official Facebook account was the one to break the news to the public. Jeffery was Jack’s son who happened to work on the ranch.

Songwriters used their past to create emotional yet powerful songs. But some subjects were never written no matter what. In this case, Loretta Lynn’s kids and the country legend herself suffered a lot from these untimely deaths.

Latest Stories

Gene Watson performing his signature hit 'Farewell Party,' a hauntingly beautiful country classic that captures themes of loss and love.

Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Is a Heartbreaker for the Ages

Some songs cut straight to the bone, and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” is one of them. Released in 1979 as part of his Reflections album, Watson’s rendition of this country ...

Toby Keith’s Stunning Tribute to Hank Williams Jr. With “A Country Boy Can Survive”

In 2007, a remarkable event unfolded at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles when country, rock, and blues icons gathered to honor the legendary Hank Williams Jr. It was a ...

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge performing their duet 'Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends,' capturing the beauty and heartbreak of love's final moments.

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s Timeless Duet, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”

When Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge sang together, their voices became an extension of their love story—beautiful, bittersweet, and undeniably real. Married in 1973 after a whirlwind meeting in an ...

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performing 'I'll Fly Away,' a soulful masterpiece from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, showcasing gospel roots and timeless harmonies.

How Alison Krauss’ “I’ll Fly Away” Became a Hymn for the Ages

There’s a magic in Alison Krauss’ voice, an ethereal quality that feels wrapped in sunlight and steeped in tradition. When she joined forces with Gillian Welch to record “I’ll Fly ...

Craig Morgan delivering an emotional performance of 'The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost' on The Kelly Clarkson Show, moving the audience to tears as he honors his son's memory.

Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” Moves “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to Tears

In 2016, Craig Morgan faced a tragedy no parent should ever endure: the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jerry, in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. Morgan’s heartbreak was profound, ...

Jesse Keith Whitley and his son Jackie performing a heartfelt duet of 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' honoring Keith Whitley's legacy with a touching family tribute.

Jesse Keith Whitley and Son Jackie Duet “Don’t Close Your Eyes” in a Heartfelt Tribute

At Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City Beach, Florida, fans were treated to a magical evening when Jesse Keith Whitley performed his father’s iconic song “Don’t Close ...

Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson brought together through modern technology for a duet of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee,' blending their iconic voices in a timeless gospel masterpiece.

Willie Nelson Joins Patsy Cline for a Heavenly “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Patsy Cline’s tragic death in a 1963 plane crash left an irreplaceable void in country music. Her haunting voice, which gave us classics like “Cr𝐚zy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” ...

Vince Gill performing 'The Price of Regret,' conveying a heartfelt message of unity, compassion, and healing, showcasing his enduring impact on country music.

Vince Gill’s “The Price of Regret” Is a Timeless Call for Unity

In 2019, Vince Gill once again proved why he’s a cornerstone of country music with his powerful single “The Price of Regret” from the album Okie. Known for his ability ...

George Jones delivering his final performance of 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' in 2013, a heartfelt farewell from a country music legend filled with raw emotion.

George Jones’ Last Performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” Was Unforgettable

George Jones, lovingly known as “The Possum,” gave the world one last gift with his final performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” on April 6, 2013. Captured during his ...

Blake Shelton performing a lively cover of 'Footloose,' inspiring Texas Roadhouse staff to create a viral line dance that blends music, fun, and energetic dining vibes.

Texas Roadhouse Staff Goes Viral Dancing to Blake Shelton’s “Footloose”

In 2015, Texas Roadhouse became more than just a restaurant serving mouthwatering steaks and buttery rolls—it became the stage for a viral moment with everyone tapping their feet. The reason? ...