Loretta Lynn’s Ranch Ravaged in Flood, Foreman Dead
Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Humphreys County, Tennessee has experienced extensive damage in historic flooding currently ravaging much of the Middle Tennessee region after more than 17 inches of rain was recorded in some places, causing creeks and tributaries to run over their banks, and in many cases sweep away entire houses.
The flooding has also been fatal, and one of the now 22 people reported dead so far is the long-time foreman of Loretta’s ranch, Wayne Spears, who was swept away in the flood waters.
“Wayne has been a family friend to the Lynns and a fixture to the Ranch for decades and we are all devastated by his passing,” the ranch said in a statement. “The Ranch will never be the same without him but he will always be remembered for his ready smile, kind heart, and willingness to go the extra mile for everyone around him … He took such good care of things here on the ranch for us. He’s one of us and the whole Lynn family Is heartbroken. Please pray for his precious family and friends.”
Thankfully, Loretta Lynn herself and the rest of her family are okay, but video below shows how close the flood waters came to the main home on the ranch as flood waters roar past and inundate multiple buildings. Another video shows the same flood close up, and there is even a photo of Wayne Spears clinging to a post of one of the buildings of the ranch, with water well up above his waist.
Along with Wayne Spears, two seven-month-old babies also died in the flood, while over 60 people continue to be missing. The road to access Loretta Lynn’s ranch was destroyed in the flood as well.
Loretta Lynn’s ranch is home to a large camping and RV park with cabins and other facilities, and regularly conducts concerts and other events. The area the ranch is located in Humphreys County is considered to be one of the hardest hit in the flooding. Portions of Houston, Dickson, and Hickman Counties have also been hit hard.
Did this man get rescued??? pic.twitter.com/UeSi0CB7kW
— Liquid Wench (@LiquidWench) August 21, 2021
August 22, 2021 @ 7:22 pm
My son has ridden motocross on that property before. Sad deal all the way around. Heart out to those who have lost loved ones.
August 23, 2021 @ 7:11 am
Heartbreaking news about Mr. Spears, & everyone who perished in the Tennessee floods.
August 23, 2021 @ 8:12 am
Awful..that news about Wayne is heartbreaking. The photo is haunting. What a blow to the Lynn family. Tourism is the lifeblood of the ranch. I visited last year, its a great time. Her museum is fantastic, lots of exhibits of Lorettas guitars, awards, dresses, vehicles etc. But also a fair amount of space devoted to Crystal Gayle, Conway Twitty and other legends. There are also tours of the Lynn home where she raised her kids. Its great. You can see the kitchen where she filmed those old Crisco commercials and the living room that was in Coal Miners daughter as well as the replica cabin that was used in the movie. That video shows how close the water got to her two houses. The large white house you see on the left side of the creek with the great lawn is the one you can tour. Behind that house is where she lives in a one story ranch house. Normally this time of year, people are swimming in Hurricane Creek. Shocking how high the water is.
August 23, 2021 @ 8:53 am
Sad situation all around, but I feel it was unnecessary to show the photo of the poor guy clinging to a post shortly before his death. I’m sure his friends and loved ones wouldn’t be pleased.
August 23, 2021 @ 10:25 am
All my best to the families that were affected by this flood. It’s horrible. We all LOVE you Miss Loretta Lynn and all your family and friends. <3 <3 <3
August 23, 2021 @ 1:31 pm
Sad, tragic news. Not just for Loretta Lynn and Mr. Spears family, but for all affected by the deaths.
Thèse floods, and their tragic aftermath, should not be happening. This is climate change.
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/23/1030325945/the-floods-in-tennessee-arent-freak-accidents-theyre-a-new-reality
August 23, 2021 @ 3:34 pm
Wait just a minute, Doug Carter.
Several hundred miles to the west of Loretta’s farm, landowners are undergoing severe drought conditions, which, of course, is incessantly being bleated out of all media as being due to “climate change.”
But, the opposite is happening at Loretta’s farm, mainly, too much rain, and that is also “climate change?”
Which one is “climate change, Doug?”
August 23, 2021 @ 3:37 pm
No more comments on this thread. Let’s please not veer into divisive subjects.
August 23, 2021 @ 4:16 pm
Respectfully, stating science and facts aren’t divisive subjects. You connect country music to many important issues. You know that commenters will diverge from the specific story and talk about larger issues in the comment section. You allow hundreds of comments that are not direct comments on the articles. This one is no different. The specific tragedy that is related to country music due to it indirectly involving Loretta Lynn, is also related specifically to climate change. No one should simply say ‘’How terrible’’ and go on. Why are these things occurring and can we do anything about them? Saving country music, but not saving the planet, does country music no good. Fake name Big Tex, read the article and your questions will be answered.
August 23, 2021 @ 4:22 pm
Doug,
I appreciate you passion about this issue. Yes, I care about the planet too. The problem is it’s unlikely you are going to convince anyone to your side in the comments section of a country music website. You will leave a comment, then Big Tex will leave a comment, and it will go back and forth with each one of you calling each other names, then others will join in, and nothing will be resolved, and everyone will overlook that the whole point of this article was to inform the public, and honor this poor man that died. And in the interim, I hemorrhage readers because people come here to read about country music, and get away from binary arguments.
August 23, 2021 @ 7:14 pm
Is “good vs. evil” a binary argument?
Just checking.