Losing a child is a traumatic and heartbreaking event that no parent should have to go through. It is a tragedy that can have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences for parents and their families.
While the sadness of losing a child never completely goes away, parents may learn to integrate their loss into their lives and find significance in their child’s memories over time.
Similarly, Walker Hayes also went through the same with the loss of her daughter Oakleigh Klover Hayes. She was her seventh born and left him in great trauma.
In this article, we will discuss Oakleigh Klover Hayes and what happened to her. Let’s get started.
Walker Hayes
Image Credits Facebook @WalkerHayes
Walker Hayes is a country-pop singer from Tennessee known for his Christian faith, huge family, easygoing demeanour, and chart-topping success. He began his career playing in bars before securing a record deal and becoming famous on TikTok.
Hayes has three studio albums to his credit, including Reason to Rhyme in 2011 and Boom and Country Stuff the Album in 2017 and 2022, respectively. In late 2021 and early 2022, his highest-charting single, “Fancy Like,” hit number one on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.
Walker Hayes is from a large family, and his family life has influenced both his personal and professional life. He and his wife have Six children, excluding their daughter, Oakleigh Klover Hayes, who died shortly after birth.
Who was Oakleigh Klover Hayes?
Walker Hayes and Laney Beville Hayes had their seventh child on 6 June 2018. It was a beautiful baby girl and was named Oakleigh Klover Hayes. However, their delight was brief as their little angel was not able to survive.
Oakleigh’s brief life had a tremendous impact on the Hayes family, inspiring them to raise organ donation awareness. They have shared their journey and sadness with their fans in an interview with People, and they continue to remember Oakleigh.
When did she die?
Oakleigh Klover Hayes, the daughter of Walker Hayes and Laney Beville Hayes, died shortly after her birth on June 6, 2018. This was a devasting experience for the whole Hayes family and equally shocking news to the whole Globe.
Why did she die?
Oakleigh Klover, the daughter of Walker Hayes and his wife Laney, died as a result of a uterine rupture. The rupture, which the attending doctor described as an “explosion,” happened during Laney’s labour and delivery.
It was a rare and severe event induced by a uterine wall weakening. As a result, the baby was deprived of vital blood flow and died shortly after.
What actually happened on the day?
The couple had initially planned for a home birth, as they wanted to avoid the potentially intense experience of delivering their child in a car. However, during the labour, the baby’s heartbeat suddenly faded, and Laney began experiencing nonstop contractions.
Oakleigh had accidentally moved inside Laney’s abdominal cavity, causing enormous pressure and distress. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the midwife dialled 9-1-1 right away.
Upon their arrival at the hospital, Laney underwent an emergency cesarean section to save both her life and the baby. Despite the medical team’s heroic efforts, they were unable to revive Oakleigh and the little angel passed away.
In those agonizing moments, Walker Hayes anxiously awaited news on both his wife’s condition and the fate of their daughter. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, fearing the worst for Laney’s life.
Thankfully, the surgical team was able to stabilize Laney after a lengthy and intensive surgery, during which she received multiple blood transfusions. However, the pain of losing their precious baby girl remained.
In the wake of their devastating loss, Walker and Laney chose to spend the day with Oakleigh’s body, embracing the fleeting moments they had with her. This decision was inspired by the guidance of a stranger, who had experienced a similar loss and offered invaluable support.
The couple’s other six children were informed about the heartbreaking news, each reacting differently to the profound loss. The subsequent graveside service and burial were incredibly difficult for the family, as they faced the unimaginable task of saying goodbye to their cherished daughter.
Their grief and healing journeys have led them on separate paths, but they find strength in each other and the love surrounding them. Walker carries the weight of almost losing his wife and acknowledges her fragility, while Laney wrestles with the reality of no longer being able to bear children.
Yet, their home remains filled with the joy and love of their six children, who bring immense comfort amidst the pain of missing Oakleigh.
Song Walker Hayes wrote about Oakleigh
Image Credits Facebook @WalkerHayes
Walker Hayes wrote a song for his daughter called “Six On Earth, One In Heaven.” The lines reflect his affection for his daughter as well as his grief at her death. He sings in the song about how he will always remember her and mentions his six children on Earth and one in Heaven.
The heartbreaking track expresses his anguish and pays tribute to his daughter’s memories. Despite the tragic event, Hayes and his wife have received community support and affection, and he continues to pursue his music career, with forthcoming concerts at music festivals and a headlining tour.
Walker Hayes Other Children
| Names | Date of Birth |
| Lela Hayes | December 22, 2006 |
| Chapel Hayes | August 17, 2007 |
| Baylor Hayes | 2010 |
| Beckett Hayes | September 1, 2012 |
| Loxley Hayes | August 7, 2013 |
| Everly Hayes | August 27, 2015 |
Walker Hayes has been blessed with six children. Their names are mentioned below.
Lela Hayes
Walker’s eldest daughter was born on December 22, 2006. She is a dancer and TikTok star who often choreographs her father’s dances.
Chapel Hayes
Image Credits Facebook @WalkerHayes
Walker’s oldest son was born on August 17, 2007. He inspired the song “Chapel” dedicated to him, where Walker acknowledges his son’s lack of interest in sports and expresses his unwavering support for Chapel’s interests.
Baylor Hayes
Walker’s second son was born in 2010. He is a guitarist and drummer and frequently joins his father on stage for performances. Walker previewed a song called “H.O.R.S.E” dedicated to Baylor on Instagram.
Beckett Hayes
Born on September 1, 2012. Beckett has a song named after him, released in 2016. In the song, Walker admires his son’s carefree attitude and aspires to be more like him.
Loxley Hayes
Walker’s second daughter was born on August 7, 2013. She is featured in Walker’s single “If Father Time Had A Daughter” and often appears in dance videos with her father and sister, Lela.
Everly Hayes
The youngest daughter was born on August 27, 2015. She is affectionately nicknamed “The Goo” or “Gooey” by her family. Everly “officiated” her parents’ vow renewal ceremony in 2022.
Walker Hayes often takes his entire family with him on tours, and they travel in a family tour bus. All of his children are homeschooled, and his wife, Laney, primarily takes on the role of their teacher.
Conclusion
- Walker Hayes is a country-pop singer from Tennessee known for his Christian faith, huge family, easygoing demeanour, and chart-topping success.
- Walker Hayes is from a large family, and his family life has influenced both his personal and professional life.
- Oakleigh Klover Hayes, the daughter of Walker Hayes and Laney Beville Hayes, died shortly after her birth on June 6, 2018.
- Oakleigh Klover, the daughter of Walker Hayes and his wife Laney, died as a result of a uterine rupture.
- Walker Hayes has been blessed with six children.
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