Luke Bryan has experienced some heartache in his lifetime with the sudden deaths of his older siblings, Chris and Kelly Bryan. While Chris died in a car accident, Kelly’s death in 2007 left her family and medical practitioners with unanswered questions.
Although many deaths come at the most unexpected times, it remains a shocking and horrifying experience for the family members. Kelly was even preparing to attend her little brother’s Grand Ole Opry debut. She was healthy and, at 39 years of age, was still far from reaching her old age.
Kelly was survived by three kids, Jordan, Kris, and Til. Her husband, Ben Lee Cheshire, was left to look after the kids alone, but tragedy struck again. Ben also died suddenly from a heart attack several years later, making their kids orphans. Luke and Caroline Bryan were on hand to care for their nephew and nieces.
How Luke Bryan’s Sister Kelly Bryan Died
In 2007, the Bryan family received the sad news of the passing of Kelly Bryan Cheshire. Her death shocked the family as it came without any warning signs. Her cause of death could not be determined even after the autopsy. A devastated Luke Bryan said:
“She was home with her 3-year-old, and it was like someone turned the lights out. They never determined what happened. The autopsies, the coroner, no one could figure it out. I mean, a 39-year-old girl? That doesn’t happen. It was just… abnormally tragic.”
The death had come when the family was preparing for the beginning of Luke Bryan’s music career in the spotlight as he signed with Capitol Records Nashville that same year. Caroline Boyer Bryan talked about her sister-in-law’s passing, saying she was healthy and a wonderful mother.
Luke Bryan Honoring His Sister at a Niece’s Wedding
When Jordan Cheshire, the eldest child of Kelly Bryan, got married on September 5, 2021, it was a magical day for the whole family, not least Luke Bryan. The country music singer was on hand to walk his niece down the aisle in what he described as “the coolest, literally one of the most emotional things” he has had to do in his life.
Luke and Caroline Bryan seem to have a great relationship with their adopted children.
During the wedding, two seats were left empty as a symbolic gesture to honor Jordan’s late parents and to acknowledge their presence in spirit. For Luke, it is vital to honor the people you have lost and to celebrate them with joyful tears. The Bryan family did that at the wedding and took in all the emotions.
Luke Bryan Adopted His Sister’s Children
When Kelly Bryan passed away, she left behind three children and her husband, Ben Cheshire. Ben continued to look after the children until he died suddenly from a heart attack. Ben’s death came ten years after his wife’s death, leaving their children without both parents.
Although their two oldest children, Jordan and Kris, were already in college by the time Ben died, their youngest, Tilden, was still early into his teenage years and needed much more parenting. Tilden moved in with his uncle, aunts, and cousins. Talking about the time he took on the mantle, Luke said:
“I woke up one day and I’m raising a teen. And it’s a challenge because my main thing with Til is just properly giving the right amount of advice and realizing you’re talking to someone who is becoming an adult. ”
Luke and Caroline Bryan seem to have a great relationship with their adopted children. A good family man, Luke has shown the importance of family in good and hard times.
The passing of Kelly Bryan Cheshire brought great sorrow for the Bryan family, especially considering that it came when they least expected it. Nevertheless, her brother, Luke Bryan, has continued to honor her through her kids.
