“There are no words on the ranch today…just tears. Our ranch family is our family. We lost my wonderful ranch foreman, Wayne, in this devastating flood. He took such good care of things here on the ranch. He is one of us and the entire Lynn family is heartbroken. Please pray for his dear family and friends,” the message began.
“It is with the deepest of hearts that we are saddened to report that our beloved foreman Wayne Spears did not survive being swept into the floodwaters,” the post continued. “Wayne has been a family friend of the Lynns and a fixture at the Ranch for decades and we are all devastated by his passing.”
Spears was one of at least 21 people in Tennessee to die in the floods on Sunday. There are more missing.
Up to 17 inches of rain fell in the area in less than 24 hours over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
“The Ranch will never be the same without him, but he will always be remembered for his willing smile, kind heart and willingness to go the extra mile for everyone around him,” Lynn wrote of Spears. “Eventually we will rebuild our community, our ranch, our lives and our homes, but only God can build a man like Wayne Spears. It just cannot be replaced. May he rest in peace.”
