Loretta Lynn’s Daughter Dies From Emphysema At 64
Betty Sue died on July 29 from complications of emphysema in Waverly, Tenn., near Loretta’s ranch home in Hurricane Mills, according to People magazine.
The country star’s family issued a statement on Facebook, saying, “The Lynn Family appreciates all your prayers, love, and support of our family’s loss. Betty was Loretta’s oldest daughter. Betty leaves two daughters Lynn Markworth and Audrey Dyer.” Betty is also survived by five grandchildren.
Loretta Lynn Has Tragically Lost Two Children
Loretta, 81, who is known as “The First Lady of Country Music,” has charted 16 number-one hits, including “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Fist City” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
She often sang about issues she faced in her own life such as philandering husbands and their mistresses. In 1976, she wrote a best-selling autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter, which was later made into an Academy Award-winning film.
Loretta, who was one of eight children, said she always wanted to have a big family.
“I think being one out of eight kids, and I was the second child, you kinda take care of all the sisters and brothers, and it was kind of like me takin’ care of my sisters and brothers when I had my first one. It wasn’t nothin’ that I didn’t know how to do.”
Loretta married her husband Oliver Vanetta Lynn, Jr. at the age of 15, and had six children with him: Peggy (Rita), Patsy, Jack Benny, Ernest Ray, Betty Sue and Cissy. Loretta tragically lost her son Jack Benny when he drowned at age 34.
— Tierney McAfee
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