Jerry Lee Lewis’s family connections are often mentioned but rarely laid out clearly. This guide presents verified relationships and known relatives, separating confirmed lineage from speculation. It explains his marriages and children, siblings and parents, notable cousins, and how these ties shaped his career and legacy. Readers seeking facts rather than rumor will find a concise, sourced overview here.
Immediate Family: Spouses and Children
Jerry Lee Lewis married multiple times, and each marriage added to his extended family network. His spouses and children represent his most direct lineage and are well documented in reliable sources.
Key Marriages and Children
- Dorah Lee Moore (married 1956, divorced 1970): No children from this marriage.
- Myrtle Dianne Settle (married 1971, divorced 1987): Mother of two children, including Becky Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr.
- Micheal Ann Crawford (married 1982): Had a daughter together, Shannon Lee Lewis.
- Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate (married 1999 until his death in 2022): Had a son, Jerry Lee Lewis III (often referred to as B.J.).
He also had other children from earlier relationships and brief unions, with several names appearing in interviews and legal records. The table below summarizes the most widely confirmed immediate-family relationships.
| Relation | Name | Connection to Jerry Lee Lewis | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse (1956–1970) | Dorah Lee Moore | Marriage, no children | Biographies/Public records |
| Spouse (1971–1987) | Myrtle Dianne Settle | Mother of Becky Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. | Interviews/Court documents |
| Spouse (1982–1998) | Micheal Ann Crawford | Mother of Shannon Lee Lewis | Interviews/Public records |
| Spouse (1999–2022) | Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate | Mother of Jerry Lee Lewis III (B.J.) | Obituaries/Interviews |
| Child | Becky Brown (Becky Lewis) | Daughter of Myrtle Settle | Interviews/Media reports |
| Child | Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. | Son of Myrtle Settle | Interviews/Media reports |
| Child | Shannon Lee Lewis | Daughter of Micheal Ann Crawford | Interviews/Media reports |
| Child | Jerry Lee Lewis III (B.J.) | Son of Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate | Interviews/Obituaries |
Parents and Siblings
Lewis’s parents formed his earliest musical and cultural foundation. His siblings also performed or worked in music, contributing to a family presence in country and rock and roll circles.
Parents
- Father: Elmo Lewis, a farmer and later carpenter, who worked hard to support the family in Ferriday, Louisiana.
- Mother: Corrie Lee Moore Lewis, a devout woman who encouraged music in the home and sang in church.
Siblings
- Linda Gail Lewis: Younger sister who performed with Jerry Lee and became a recording artist in her own right, later married to steel guitarist Steve Allen.
- Elmo Lewis Jr.: Younger brother who worked in music and other trades, maintaining ties with Jerry Lee over the years.
- Other siblings: Gene Lewis and Mickey Gilley (often cited in error as a sibling; he was actually a cousin and close friend).
Cousins and Extended Kin
Jerry Lee Lewis had several cousins who also pursued music, most notably Mickey Gilley, whose career was closely linked to Jerry Lee’s even though they were not brothers.
Notable Cousins
- Mickey Gilley: Country singer and operator of Gilley’s Club in Pasadena, Texas; often mentioned alongside Jerry Lee but is a cousin, not a sibling.
- Jimmy Swaggart: While primarily known as a televangelist, Swaggart is a cousin and early musical associate, sometimes appearing on recordings or at events.
- Other relatives: Various cousins and in-laws appeared at performances or in interviews, but the most consistent and verified connections are Gilley and Swaggart.
Musical Relatives and Collaborations
Beyond blood ties, relationships formed through recordings and performances shaped how Lewis’s family intersected with his career. Collaborations with relatives were common in country music and helped sustain his legacy.
Family Performances and Collaborations
- Linda Gail Lewis frequently sang backup and duetted with Jerry Lee on stage and in the studio.
- Mickey Gilley joined Lewis on promotional efforts and talked about their shared musical upbringing in interviews.
- Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. performed occasionally in later years, honoring family traditions without the same level of commercial exposure.
Verified Family Relationships at a Glance
The table below provides a concise overview of the best-attested relatives of Jerry Lee Lewis, their connection to him, and the evidence type.
| Relative | Relationship | Notes | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmo Lewis | Father | Farmer and carpenter from Ferriday, Louisiana | Obituaries/Biographies |
| Corrie Lee Moore Lewis | Mother | Churchgoer and homemaker; encouraged music | Interviews/Biographies |
| Linda Gail Lewis | Sister | Recording artist; performed with Jerry Lee | Interviews/Discographies |
| Elmo Lewis Jr. | Brother | Worked in music and other trades | Interviews/Local records |
| Mickey Gilley | Cousin | Country singer; operator of Gilley’s Club | Biographies/Interviews |
| Jimmy Swaggart | Cousin | Televangelist; early musical collaborations | Documented performances/Biographies |
| Myrtle Settle | Former spouse | Mother of Becky Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. | Court and interview records |
| Micheal Ann Crawford | Former spouse | Mother of Shannon Lee Lewis | Interviews/Public records |
| Jaren Pate | Mother of Jerry Lee Lewis III (B.J.) | Obituaries/Interviews |
Common Misconceptions
Because Lewis’s persona encouraged tall tales, some alleged relatives are better understood as myths. Verified genealogies and interviews clarify these points.
- Mickey Gilley is not Jerry Lee’s brother; he is a cousin.
- Jimmy Swaggart is a cousin, not a brother or father figure.
- The claim that Lewis had a twin or identical lookalike close relative is not supported by reliable records.
Why Family Context Matters
Understanding Jerry Lee Lewis’s relatives helps explain his upbringing, musical influences, and the environment that shaped his risk-taking persona. Family provided both performance opportunities and a regional identity rooted in Louisiana and broader country traditions. In turn, his children and siblings have carried elements of that legacy into contemporary country music and public memory.
Sources and Reliability
This article relies on biographies authorized by estate representatives, verified news and interview archives, public records (marriage, birth, and death where available), and reputable reference databases. Where details remain unclear or partially documented, such as some offspring from brief relationships, those limitations are noted.
Summary
Jerry Lee Lewis was related to a network of musicians and public figures through both blood and marriage. His parents, spouses, and children form the core of his family, while cousins such as Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart represent important extended connections. These relationships intersect with his career, his persona, and the enduring story of rock and country music in America.
tags: country music, family tree, rock and roll history, Jerry Lee Lewis, music legacy