Loretta Webb Lynn (April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was born in Butcher Hollow, Van Lear, Kentucky. Lynn was singer-songwriter, author, commercial spokesperson and actress who has written over 160 songs. Those songs include “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Fist City”.

She was the daughter of Theodore Melvin “Ted” and Clara Marie “Clary” Ramey Webb, who have both passed away. Loretta was the second of eight children: Melvin Webb, Jr. (1929-1993); Herman (1934); Jay Lee (1937-1996); Donald (1943); Peggy Sue (1947); Betty Ruth (1949); and Brenda Gail, also known as Crystal Gayle (1951).

Loretta married Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” “Mooney” Lynn on January 10, 1948, when she was 15 years old. They were married until his death in 1996. They had 6 children: Betty Sue Lynn was born on November 26, 1948 and passed away July 29, 2013 of emphysema. She was 64 years old. Jack Benny Lynn was born December 7, 1949 and passed on July 22, 1984 from drowning. He was 34. Ernest Ray Lynn was born April 12, 1951. Clara Marie “Cissy” Lynn came along on April 7, 1952 and on August 6, 1964, the Lynn family welcomed the twins, Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen Lynn.

Ms. Loretta had more than a few awards and honors under her belt: 4 Grammy awards, 7 American Music awards, 8 BMI awards, 13 Academy of Country Music awards, 8 Country Music Association awards & 26 fan voted Music City News awards; 1972: first woman named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association.
1977: Ranked 65th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women of Rock n' Roll and was the first country artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1980: Only woman to be named “Artist of the Decade” for the 1970’s by the Academy of Country Music. 1988: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 1994: Received country music Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music. 1999: Inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame. 2001: “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was named among NPR’s “100 Most Significant Songs of the 20th Century.” 2002: Highest ranking (#3) for any living female on CMT’s TV special 40 Greatest Women of Country Music. 2003: Recipient of Kennedy Center Honors, an award given by the President. 2004: On November 4th, honored as a BMI Icon at the BMI Country Awards (BMI affiliate for over 45 years). 2008: Inducted into Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. 2010: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years in country music; had a rose named in her honor. 2013: President Barack Obama announced that Loretta would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 2015: Crystal Milestone Award from the Academy of Country Music.