Reba McEntire truly is a country music diva. When she first appeared on stage in the late 1970s, she quickly won over millions of fans.
She has been married twice in her life and has one son, Shelby.
Reba, despite her immense success and the dazzling grin that always adorned her face, has experienced heartache.
Reba’s mother, Jacqueline, passed away from cancer in 2022. This was a heartbreaking blow because the two were exceptionally close and loving mother-daughters. “She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go,” Reba said on social media. The disease may believe it has won the war, but we give all credit to God for choosing the moment for her to return to Him.”
Jacqueline dreamed of being a singer when she was little. When her desire failed to materialize, she taught her daughter to sing. “She knew how much she was loved, and we all knew how much she loved us.” “We’ll all miss her, but we have so many wonderful memories with her,” Reba added.
Regrettably, this was not Reba’s first experience with loss and sadness. On March 16, 1982, seven members of her band, as well as her manager, were killed in a catastrophic aircraft accident.
On that terrible day in 1991, the band was on their way from a show in San Diego to their next show in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Reba and her then-husband were meant to travel separately but chose to spend the night in San Diego. Unfortunately, the band’s jet crashed only 10 miles after takeoff.
Despite the fact that it has been more than three decades since the accident, Reba never misses a chance to pay respect to the late members of her band.
During an appearance with Oprah in 2012, Reba discussed the incident. She went on to say, “The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane.”
Reba’s manager, Narvel, met with their pilot and then came to Reba’s hotel room in the early hours of the morning when they heard the news. “And Narvel came back to the hotel room where I was—it was two or three o’clock in the morning—and he said one of the planes had crashed, and I asked, ‘Are they OK?'” Reba recounted. ‘I don’t think so,’ he responded. ‘But you’re not sure?’ I asked. ‘I don’t think so,’ he responded.
Reba’s eyes welled up with tears as she recalled that sad day. “Narvel was going from room to room with a phone, calling,” she said, her voice faltering. “I’m sorry—it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like—I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she went on to say. “However, I can see that chamber. Narvel is pacing back and forth.”
Reba paid tribute to those who died in the disaster in 2020. “29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash,” she said on social media. Mama’s death seems to have coincided with that anniversary. I know they’re all together in heaven, looking after each other. Let us continue to discover methods to care for one another here on Earth, and never take a single minute with our loved ones for granted.”
Her fans sent her letters of encouragement. “Reba, I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Instagram,” one admirer commented. I’m praying for you and your mother.”
This year, Reba revealed to the world that she is still grieving over the tragic loss and fate of her friends. She commented, with a video of one of their band performances, “Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on.”