Reba McEntire is a real country superstar. Ever since she stepped onto the stage in the late 1970s, she has been loved by fans all over the world.
In her personal life, she has been married two times and has one son named Shelby.
However, despite her enormous success and the infatuating smile on her face, Reba has experienced a number of heartbreaks.
In 2022, Reba experienced a heartbreaking loss when her mother, Jacqueline, passed away from cancer. This was really tough for Reba because they shared a very close and loving bond as mother and daughter.
Reba expressed her feelings on social media, saying, “She lived a wonderful, full, and healthy life and was completely ready to leave. The cancer may think it won, but we’re giving all the credit to God for choosing the right time for her to go home.”
Back in the day, when she was young, Jacqueline wished to become a singer herself, but since her dream didn’t turn into a reality, she taught her daughter how to sing.
“She left knowing how much she is loved and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time that Reba experienced loss and sorrow. 32 years ago, on March 16, seven members of her band, along with her manager, lost their lives in a horrific airplane crash.
The band was having a concert in San Diego on that day in 1991, and were flying to Fort Wayne, Ind., to perform their next concert on the tour.
Reba and her then-husband were supposed to fly with another plane but they decided to stay in San Diego for the night. The band’s airplane crushed just ten miles after it took off.
Although it’s been over three decades since the tragic crash, Reba never misses a chance to pay tribute to the late members of her band.
Back in 2012, Reba opened up about the tragedy during an interview with Oprah. “The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” she said.
“When we were notified, Narvel (Reba’s manager) went and met with our pilot, and he told us what had happened.
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 said,
‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I said, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
As she recalled the tragic day, Reba couldn’t contain tears from running down her face.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling …” she began, pausing as tears came to her eyes.
“I’m sorry — it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she said. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
In 2020, the singer honored the memory of those who died in the accident. “Today marks 29 years since I lost my friends in a plane crash.”
The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate,” she posted on the social media.
“I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other.
We should always look for new ways to support each other here on earth and appreciate every single moment we have with our loved ones.
Her fans were quick to post messages of support. “Reba I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother 🙏🏻” one fan wrote.
This year was just like the others. Reba felt the need to tell everyone that even though so many years have gone by, she still feels sad about what happened to her friends and their heartbreaking loss.
She shared a video of one of their band performances and wrote, “Their passion for music and performing inspires us all to keep moving forward.”
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