Loretta Lynn’s 6 Children: Meet Daughters Patsy Lynn, Betty Sue Lynn, Peggy Lynn, Cissy Lynn & Sons Jack Benny Lynn, Ernest Ray Lynn
Loretta Lynn is one of the most legendary figures in country music history. The singer-songwriter, who passed away peacefully at her home on October 4, 2024, at the age of 90, had a remarkable career that spanned six decades and earned her countless awards and accolades.
She was also a devoted mother to six children, whom she raised with her late husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, whom she married at the age of 15.
Loretta and Doolittle had four children by the time she was 20, and two more later on. They faced many challenges and hardships, including poverty, infidelity, abuse, and the tragic deaths of two of their children. But they also shared a lot of love, laughter, and music.
Loretta’s children followed in her footsteps in various ways, some pursuing careers in the music industry, and some helping to run the family ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
In this article, we will introduce you to Loretta Lynn’s six children, and tell you more about their lives, achievements, and relationships with their mother. Here are the names and birth dates of Loretta’s children:
- Betty Sue Lynn (November 26, 1948 – July 29, 2013)
- Jack Benny Lynn (December 7, 1949 – July 22, 1984)
- Clara Marie “Cissy” Lynn (April 7, 1952)
- Ernest Ray “Ernie” Lynn (May 27, 1954)
- Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen Lynn (August 6, 1964)
Betty Sue Lynn
Betty Sue Lynn was Loretta’s first child, born when she was only 16 years old. Betty Sue inherited her mother’s talent for writing, and co-wrote some of Loretta’s songs, such as “Wine, Women and Song” and “The Home You’re Tearin’ Down”. She also sang backup vocals for her mother on some occasions.
Betty Sue was married twice, and had two daughters, Lynn Markworth and Audrey Dyer, and five grandchildren. She lived a private life, away from the spotlight, and suffered from emphysema, a lung condition. She died at the age of 64, at the family ranch, on July 29, 2013.
Loretta was heartbroken by the loss of her eldest daughter, and often paid tribute to her on social media. She wrote on Instagram in 2021: “It seemed like we were raising each other as young as I was. Not a day went by that we didn’t talk on the phone. I fell in love with her the moment I first saw her.”
Jack Benny Lynn
Jack Benny Lynn was Loretta’s second child and her first son. He was named after Loretta’s favorite comedian, Jack Benny. Jack Benny was not interested in the music business and preferred to work on the family ranch, as a horse trainer and a blacksmith. He also loved hunting and fishing.
Jack Benny was married to Barbara and had a daughter, Jenny. He also had two children from a previous relationship. He died in a tragic accident, at the age of 34, on July 22, 1984. He was trying to cross the Duck River on horseback, on the family ranch, when he drowned. His horse survived and led the search party to his body.
Loretta was devastated by the death of her son and wrote a song about him, called “Jack Benny Lynn”, which she recorded on her album Who Was That Stranger. She also dedicated her autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter, to him. She wrote on Instagram in 2021: “He was my baby boy. He was so much like his daddy. He loved the outdoors and working with his hands. He had a big heart and a bigger smile.”
Related Post: Meet Loretta Lynn’s 7 Siblings
Clara Marie “Cissy” Lynn
Clara Marie Lynn, better known as Cissy, was Loretta’s third child, and her second daughter. Cissy followed her mother’s footsteps and became a singer and a songwriter. She performed with her mother on stage and also recorded some albums of her own, such as Cissy Lynn Sings Loretta Lynn’s Favorites, and Honky Tonk Boots.
Cissy was married to Phillip Russell and had two sons, Phillip and Adam. She also had a daughter, Tayla, from a previous relationship. Tayla is also a singer and has performed with her grandmother and her aunt, Patsy Lynn. Cissy has been very supportive of her mother and has helped her recover from a stroke in 2017, and a broken hip in 2018.
Cissy has expressed her admiration and gratitude for her mother and has described her as her best friend. She wrote on Instagram in 2021: “She taught me how to be strong, independent, and fearless. She showed me how to love God, family, and music. She is my hero, my inspiration, and my angel.”
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Ernest Ray “Ernie” Lynn
Ernest Ray Lynn, or Ernie, was Loretta’s fourth child, and her second son. Ernie also pursued a music career and played guitar and sang with his mother on several occasions. He also formed a band with his twin sisters, Peggy and Patsy, called The Lynns, in the 1990s. They released two albums, The Lynns and Steppin’ Out, and were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998.
Ernie was married to Cindy and had two sons, John and Ernest. He also had a daughter, Loretta, from a previous relationship. Loretta is also a singer and has performed with her grandmother and her cousins. Ernie has been very close to his mother and has often accompanied her on tours and events. He has also helped to manage the family ranch and to organize the annual Loretta Lynn Fan Club.
Ernie has praised his mother for her achievements and her resilience and has said that he is proud to be her son. He wrote on Instagram in 2021: “She is the greatest singer and songwriter of all time. She is the queen of country music. She is the coal miner’s daughter. She is my mom, and I love her more than words can say.”
Loretta Lynn’s Kids
| Name | Birth Date | Occupation | Spouse | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Sue Lynn | November 26, 1948 | Songwriter | None | Lynn Markworth, Audrey Dyer |
| Jack Benny Lynn | December 7, 1949 | Horse trainer, blacksmith | Barbara | Jenny, two others |
| Clara Marie “Cissy” Lynn | April 7, 1952 | Singer, songwriter | Phillip Russell | Phillip, Adam, Tayla |
| Ernest Ray “Ernie” Lynn | May 27, 1954 | Singer, songwriter, guitarist | Cindy | John, Ernest, Loretta |
| Peggy Jean Lynn | August 6, 1964 | Singer, songwriter | Will Rourke | Will, Emmy |
| Patsy Eileen Lynn | August 6, 1964 | Singer, songwriter | Phillip Russell | Phillip, Anna |
Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen Lynn
Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen Lynn are Loretta’s youngest children and her twin daughters. They were born on August 6, 1964, when Loretta was 32 years old. They were named after two of Loretta’s close friends and fellow country singers, Peggy Sue and Patsy Cline. Loretta was pregnant with them while she was touring, and had to play shows with a guitar around her neck, which she said was very hard.
Peggy and Patsy also became singers and songwriters, and formed a band with their brother, Ernie, called The Lynns, in the 1990s. They released two albums, The Lynns and Steppin’ Out, and were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998. They also recorded a duet album, The Lynns: Peggy and Patsy, in 2012.
Peggy was married to Will Rourke and had a son, Will. She also had a daughter, Emmy, from a previous relationship. Patsy was married to Phillip Russell and had a son, Phillip. She also had a daughter, Anna, from a previous relationship. Peggy and Patsy have been very loyal to their mother, and have often performed with her and defended her from critics. They have also written songs for her, such as “Country in My Genes” and “Honky Tonk Girl”.
Peggy and Patsy have shared their love and respect for their mother, and have said that they are honored to be her daughters. They wrote on Instagram in 2021: “She is the best mother in the world. She is our mentor, our teacher, and our friend. She is the reason we sing, and the reason we live. She is our mom, and we love her with all our hearts.”
Content Source: wikipedia.org/Loretta_Lynn
