In the midst of a successful country music career, artist Loretta Lynn was also a wife and mother to six incredible children. She started early—marrying her sweetheart Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn at 15 and welcoming her first child at 16. Some of Loretta Lynn’s children picked up her musical talent and all embraced the family bond. Lynn has since passed away (2022) and leaves an incredible legacy of music and family.
“It’s a great life to be with your kids, and every woman oughtta be with her kids,” Lynn told TimeOut.
Loretta Lynn’s Children Emulated Their Mom On and Off the Stage
By the time country music legend Loretta Lynn turned 20, she was married and the mother to four children. According to PEOPLE, she shared that her career often took her away from family life. She missed out on major moments, holidays, and regular family time.
“I was working clubs, and I was doing like three and four shows a night,” Lynn told PEOPLE, back in 2016. Loretta even kept up with her busy schedule well into her pregnancy with the twins. “I’d play shows right up until the babies was born and that guitar around my neck just about killed me. I don’t advise it to any mother.”
Each of Lynn’s six children was a unique representation of the country star herself.
Betty Sue (d. 2013)
Lynn was just 16 when she welcomed Betty in 1948. As her mother describes, this “feisty” and “fun” firstborn took after Lynn in so many ways. Betty was an accomplished songwriter. She wrote songs for her mom—including “Wine, Women and Song” and “The Hope You’re Tearin’ Down.”
Betty died of complications from emphysema when she was 64. Lynn often posted memories of Betty on Instagram on the anniversary of her death. “I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her,” posted Lynn. The two talked every day until Betty passed.
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Jack Benny (d. 1984)
The first son of Lynn and Doolittle, Jack emulated his dad ever since his birth in 1949. While he played the guitar, Jack didn’t pursue a professional career in music. He stayed at the family ranch as a blacksmith and worked with horses year-round. Jack was married to Barbara has three children, two from a previous relationship.
Jack tragically passed away in a drowning accident on the family ranch. He was attempting to cross Duck River on horseback, and something went wrong. Lynn was touring when Jack passed and was already hospitalized from exhaustion. Doolittle traveled to Lynn and delivered the news in person.
Lynn also posted on Instagram on the anniversary of Jack’s death. “He was quiet and tender,” she said and added that she “adored with all of my heart.”
Clara Marie
In 1952, Clara “Cissie” was born into the family and the music industry. Ciccie’s successful career included opening for George Jones and Conway Twitty. She married artist John Beams, and the two released a joint album in 2011, “The Daughter of the Coal Miner’s Daugher.”
While recording her mom’s songs, Cissie was “honored to do that.” She continued, “It’s hard to explain my feelings. My children and my grandchildren will listen to this album and say that their Mama and their Grandma did this all.”
Ernest Ray
Ernest was born in 1954 and joined his mom on the road as soon as he could. He often opened for her shows. Lynn thought of him as “one of her best friends.”
He is married to his second wife, Crystal, and lives on the family ranch.
Peggy Jean
Peggy and Patsy are twins, born in 1964. Lynn talked about how her life on the road caused her to miss out on special moments with her family. She said that Peggy “became a master farmer” and that the garden is “a little piece of heaven.”
Peggy and Patsy formed a country music group called “The Lynns.” Their music hit Billboard’s Hot Country Songs twice in their career, and they were nominated for CMA vocal do of the year in 1998.
Patsy Eileen
Lynn didn’t know she was expecting twins until the delivery. Patsy was named after the great country music artist, Patsy Cline. After her time performing with The Lynns, Patsy joined others backstage to write songs and produce. As Lynn said, Patsy kept “so much of my world running.”
“Family means everything to me,” said Lynn in 2016. Her biggest piece of advice to parents and her grown children? Soak up as much family time as possible. “You never catch up the lost time. That time’s gone,” she quipped.
