At 46, Luke Bryan’s brother-in-law Ben Lee Cheshire died suddenly on November 29, 2014. His unexpected demise stunned the Bryan family and community. For his family, Cheshire was “Lee,” a loving father, entrepreneur, and community member in Leesburg, Georgia.
The Legacy of Ben Lee Cheshire
Ben Lee Cheshire was born in Albany, Georgia, on July 21, 1968. A Lee County native, he founded Southland Appraisal Service. Cheshire was a recognized Lee County businessman and active in the Recreational Department. His longtime support for the Trojans, local high school sports teams, showed his community spirit.
Love and loyalty characterized Cheshire’s family. He married Kelly Bryan, Luke’s elder sister. Their children were Til, Jordan, and Kris. Unfortunately, Kelly died aged 39 in 2007, leaving Ben Lee to raise his children alone.
Til Cheshire, Ben Lee’s Son
Luke Bryan’s nephew is Til Cheshire, son of Ben Lee Cheshire and Kelly Bryan. Til, born in 2001, was raised by loving parents. Til, Kris, and Jordan were raised by their father when Kelly died in 2007. Despite single fatherhood, Ben Lee Cheshire, known as Lee, was a loving father who tried to support his children. The family suffered another loss in November 2014 when Ben Lee Cheshire died abruptly following a heart attack. Til was 12 and his world was shattered.
When Ben died, Luke Bryan and Caroline accepted Til and his siblings into their household and provided stability and support. Til, 23, has grown up in the spotlight because to his renowned uncle, yet he stays true to his origins. Over 65,000 people follow his Instagram account, where he posts about his life and activities. Til has always thanked his extended family for their support, but his road has been difficult. Til, the son of Ben Lee Cheshire, continued his father’s history of family devotion despite personal struggles. Til continues to make his own way, mixing public character with seclusion and normalcy.
The Sudden Death of Ben Lee Cheshire
Family and friends were shocked when Ben Lee Cheshire died unexpectedly during Thanksgiving holiday in 2014. Reports say Cheshire died of a heart attack at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. His death was surprising, especially because he had been parenting three children since his wife’s death some years previously.
Luke Bryan, who loved his sister and her family, was especially saddened by his brother-in-law’s death. Luke Bryan canceled his CMT awards appearance to be with his family in Georgia. Bryan expressed his anguish and emotional toll in a touching message.
Legacy of Family and Community
Ben Lee Cheshire was loyal to his family and community despite his challenges. After Kelly died, he was a loving and stable father to his children.
The success of Southland Appraisal Service was due to Cheshire’s business involvement and fatherhood. His work with the Lee County Recreational Department and commitment to the Trojans, a local high school sports team, were highly admired.
Ben Lee gave back to his community outside of work. He was adored by the community and made a lasting impression.
Luke Bryan’s Place After Brother-in-Law’s Death
Luke Bryan helped raise his brother-in-law’s children after Ben Lee Cheshire’s death. Luke and Caroline Bryan took in Ben Lee’s children after the death of Kelly and her husband. Luke has openly spoken his grief over losing family members and how it has strengthened his religion and family.
Luke has discussed the difficulty of coping with his family’s traumas, including his sister’s 2007 death and his brother-in-law’s death, in interviews. However, Bryan’s closeness to his nephew Til and the other children has helped him find comfort in continuing the family history.
In Memory of Ben Lee Cheshire
Ben Lee Cheshire’s death underscores life’s fragility and family’s value. He was a loving parent, husband, and community leader. His family and community efforts will be remembered long after his terrible death.
The anguish over Ben Lee’s death shaped Luke Bryan and his family. While Luke and Caroline Bryan raise his children with the love and support their father would have wanted, they cherish his memory.
While Ben Lee Cheshire is gone, his legacy as a loving father, committed businessman, and community member goes on. His abrupt death created a vacuum in the Bryan family, but his children continue to carry his legacy.
