3. Willie “Jay” Lee Webb (February 12, 1937 – July 31, 1996)
Willie Lee Webb, affectionately known as Jay Lee to his mother, carved his own illustrious path as a country singer, following in the footsteps of his renowned sister, Loretta. Notably, Jay Lee’s signature song, “I Come Home A-Drinkin’ (To a Worn-Out Wife Like You),” served as a response to Loretta’s 1967 chart-topping hit, “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’.”
Beyond his musical endeavors, Jay Lee experienced the complexities of love and relationships. His first marriage to Louise Davis, spanning from 1961 to 1963, was marred by tragedy and ultimately ended in divorce. The birth of their daughter, Yvonne Clara Webb, in February 1962, was followed by the heartbreaking loss of Yvonne to tonsillitis in August 1962, leading to Louise filing for divorce soon after.
>>READ ALSO: Loretta Lynn’s “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” Reflects Her Real-Life Marriage
A decade later, Jay Lee’s heart found solace in Camden, Tennessee, where he encountered and fell in love with Lou Anne Robinson. The couple relocated to Nashville, building a life together that included the joy of raising two children, John Ernest Webb and Claire Joanne Webb. Departing from the music scene, Jay Lee ventured into a new chapter, opening a drugstore, while Lou Anne pursued a career as a secretary.
Regrettably, the echoes of familial tragedy persisted, as Jay Lee succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 59 in 1996, joining his father and brother in leaving the world prematurely.
