Before Gwen Stefani and Miranda Lambert, there was Kaynette Williams. She was Blake Shelton’s first wife, his high school sweetheart, and one of his biggest supporters when he was still chasing fame.
Many people don’t know her story, but it’s an inspiring one. She stood beside Blake before the bright lights. She helped manage his career. And when their marriage ended, she walked away from fame and built a quiet, happy life of her own.
In this article, we’ll explore her life from the beginning. You’ll learn about where she grew up, how she met Blake, their wedding, why they split, and what she’s doing now in 2026. This is the full, true story of Kaynette Williams, Blake Shelton’s ex-wife.
Kaynette Williams Quick Bio
| Full Name | Kaynette Francis Gern |
| Known As | Kaynette Williams |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1973 |
| Age (2026) | 53 years old |
| Birthplace | Ada, Oklahoma, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Ex-Husband | Blake Shelton (2003–2006) |
| Current Husband | Cody Joe Scheck (married in 2015) |
| Children | None |
| Current Job | Math teacher & facilitator |
| Education | Degrees in Finance & Human Sciences |
| Award | Teacher of the Year (2018–2019) |
| Current Residence | Kiowa, Kansas, USA |
| Net Worth (2026) | Around $900,000 |
| Known For | Being Blake Shelton’s ex-wife |
Kaynette Williams’ Early Life in Oklahoma
Kaynette was born Kaynette Francis Gern on February 20, 1973, in Ada, Oklahoma. She grew up in a small, peaceful town with strong family values.
Her father, Fred Gern Sr., was a U.S. veteran and worked as a local TV presenter. Her mother, Kay Kast-Gern, stayed at home and cared for the family. Kaynette has two younger sisters — Roggie and Orpha — and they were always close.
As a child, Kaynette loved being outside. She enjoyed fishing, horseback riding, and being around animals. She also loved learning and later earned two college degrees — one in Finance and another in Human Sciences. Education was always a big part of her life, even before teaching.
How Kaynette Williams Met Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton and Kaynette Williams met when they were teenagers in Ada. Even though they both went to the same high school, they didn’t start dating right away. First, they became good friends.
Kaynette was a few years older, and she had already finished school when Blake was still a student. Their friendship grew slowly and turned into love when Blake turned 21. At that time, Blake was just starting to think about a music career.
They shared many dreams. Kaynette believed in him and stood by him through the early days of struggle. She didn’t just date Blake — she supported him like a true partner, long before he became a country star.
Blake Shelton’s Proposal to Kaynette Williams
Blake didn’t propose at a fancy dinner or on stage. Instead, he kept it simple — and very country.
One morning in December 2002, Blake came back from a hunting trip with some friends. He looked at Kaynette and asked her to marry him. Just like that. No big plan. No spotlight.
Kaynette said yes. And then? They went right back out hunting again! Later, they celebrated with friends and had a fun, casual day. It was a perfect moment for two small-town people who loved the outdoors.
Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton’s Wedding
Blake and Kaynette got married on November 17, 2003, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was a quiet and private ceremony — just the two of them, the person who married them, and a photographer. No big crowds. No press.
It was sweet and simple. At the wedding, Blake sang “Julia” by Conway Twitty to Kaynette. It was a touching moment that showed how close they were at the time.
At this point, Blake was just starting to gain attention in country music. Kaynette didn’t care about fame — she was focused on love and helping him succeed.
Her Role in Blake Shelton’s Music Career
Kaynette wasn’t just Blake’s wife. She was also his road manager during the early days of his career.
That means she helped organize his shows, booked travel, handled schedules, and made sure everything went smoothly. While Blake was singing on stage, she was working behind the scenes to keep it all together.
That’s not an easy job — and doing it for your husband makes it even harder. But Kaynette did it because she believed in him. She supported him every step of the way as his music career took off with songs like “Austin.”
Many people don’t know this, but without Kaynette’s help in the early days, Blake’s journey might have looked very different.
Why Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton Got Divorced
Sadly, their love story didn’t last.
In 2006, just three years after they got married, Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton got divorced. The reason listed was “inappropriate marital conduct.” That means there were serious problems in the relationship.
Later, Blake admitted that while still married to Kaynette, he started having feelings for Miranda Lambert, a fellow country singer. They had sung a duet together in 2005, and something changed for him during that performance.
In his own words, he said, “This shouldn’t be happening” — but he couldn’t stop what he was feeling. Not long after that, his marriage with Kaynette ended.
After the divorce, Kaynette even tried to sell her wedding dress — a size 6 Demetrios gown — on eBay. It was her way of moving forward and closing that chapter of her life.
Life After the Divorce
After the divorce in 2006, Kaynette Williams needed space to breathe. She first moved back to Oklahoma, her home state. She wanted to be near family and start fresh.
But soon after, something unexpected happened. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert also moved into a nearby town. That made things uncomfortable. In her own words, Kaynette once said, “Oklahoma just wasn’t big enough for all of us.”
So, she packed up once more. This time, she moved far away from fame and headlines — to Kiowa, Kansas. It was the quiet break she truly needed.
Kaynette Williams’ New Career as a Teacher
In Kansas, Kaynette found her purpose again — teaching. She began working as a math teacher in an elementary school. Her students call her kind, helpful, and fun.
But she didn’t stop there. She worked hard, earned more training, and became a math facilitator, which means she helps both students and other teachers. In 2018, she was even voted Teacher of the Year in her school district.
Her love for learning and helping others really shines in the classroom. And even though she once helped manage a country music star, she now helps young kids succeed — and that’s a big deal too.
Kaynette Williams’ Second Marriage and Love Story
While living in Kansas, Kaynette met someone special — a man named Cody Joe Scheck. He wasn’t a singer or a celebrity. He was a rodeo cowboy with a big heart.
Cody is a steer roping champion and holds a world record in the sport. They met through mutual friends, and the connection was instant. According to Cody’s family, the two “fell for each other right away and have barely been apart since.”
They got married in 2015, and they’ve built a peaceful, happy life together. They don’t have kids, but they enjoy spending time with animals, friends, and their small-town community.
What Kaynette Williams Is Doing Today
As of 2026, Kaynette Williams is still living in Kiowa, Kansas, with her husband Cody. She works full-time in education and is a respected figure in her school.
Outside of work, she enjoys horseback riding, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Her social media, especially Facebook, shows how involved she is in her town and school events. She shares posts about her students, dogs, school projects, and fun memories with family.
She also honors her late father each year with heartfelt posts. It shows just how close they were and how much she values family.
Many people still know her as Blake Shelton’s ex-wife. But Kaynette Williams is so much more than that.
She helped him in the early days. She saw him grow into a star. Then, after heartbreak, she chose a different path — one with peace, purpose, and real happiness.
She rebuilt her life from the ground up. She didn’t chase headlines. She didn’t seek revenge or fame. She focused on being kind, working hard, and living a life that makes her proud.
Final Thoughts
The story of Kaynette Williams is simple, honest, and inspiring.
She went from being a small-town girl in Oklahoma… to the wife of a country music star… to a teacher making a real difference in her students’ lives. She’s faced love, fame, heartbreak, and big changes — and came out stronger every time.
Her story reminds us that starting over is okay. That you can still find joy after pain. That being away from the spotlight doesn’t mean you’re not important.
Today, Kaynette Williams is a happy wife, a strong woman, and a caring teacher. And that, more than anything else, is her real legacy.
(FAQs)
How old is Kaynette Williams in 2026?
Kaynette Williams was born on February 20, 1973. That means she is 53 years old in 2026 — and still full of energy as a teacher!
Did Kaynette Williams ever have children?
No, Kaynette Williams has never had children — not with Blake Shelton or with her new husband.
Who is Kaynette Williams’ new husband?
Kaynette is now married to Cody Joe Scheck, a rodeo champion and world record holder in steer roping!
What does Kaynette Williams do for work now?
She’s a math teacher and math coach at a school in Kansas — and was even voted Teacher of the Year!
What is Kaynette Williams’ net worth and life like in 2026?
Her net worth is around $900,000, and she now lives a quiet, happy life in Kansas — far away from the celebrity world.
Read next: What Happened to Jodi Faeth? The True Story of Mike Wolfe’s Ex-Wife
