Loretta Lynn Remembers Her Late Husband Doolittle On What Would Be Their 74th Anniversary

Loretta Lynn country music

One of the longest lasting stints of marriage in country music history, comes from no other than Loretta Lynn, and her husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn Jr.

The two married back in 1948, when she was only 15 and he was 21.

48 years and six kids later, the two stayed married until “Doolittle’s” passing back in 1996.

With that being said, the legendary country music singer is celebrating what would’ve been their 74th wedding anniversary.

She posted a heartfelt message to her late husband on Instagram:

“74 years ago, my life changed forever when I married Doolittle. We had 48 years together and I sure wish he was still here! I miss him.”

Although a long lasting marriage, it definitely came with trials and tribulations along the way.

Doolittle was a known to drink quite a bit, known for cheating, and at times, could become abusive. Lynn documented her fair share of their marital issues with songs like “Fist City,” “Wouldn’t It Be Great,” and “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”

In her 2002 autobiography, Still Woman Enough, Loretta called her marriage “one of the hardest love stories.”

“I married Doo when I wasn’t but a child, and he was my life from that day on. But as important as my youth and upbringing was, there’s something else that made me stick to Doo.

He thought I was something special, more special than anyone else in the world, and never let me forget it. That belief would be hard to shove out the door.

Doo was my security, my safety net. And just remember, I’m explainin’, not excusin’… Doo was a good man and a hard worker. But he was an alcoholic, and it affected our marriage all the way through.”

However, the man did a lot to help out his wife, particularly in kick starting her country music career.

He gave her her first guitar, a $17 Harmony, and encouraged her to start her own band, Loretta and the Trailblazers.

It may be complicated, and whose relationships aren’t, but it’s truly one of country music’s most iconic love stories.

A beer bottle on a dock

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock