Reba McEntire has lost her former son-in-law, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away this week at the age of 48 after a private struggle with cancer. McEntire, 70, had been married to Narvel Blackstock, Brandon’s father, from 1989 to 2015, and they share a son, Shelby, who is now 35. Despite her divorce, McEntire regards Narvel as family.
She expressed her feelings about Brandon in a 2021 interview, stating he felt like a son to her, saying, “I think of him as my blood.” Brandon was married to Kelly Clarkson, and their divorce made headlines, but McEntire remained close to both of them through it all. In her words, “I love both of them. Brandon is my son-in-law, Kelly is my good friend… I’m pulling for both of them.”
Clarkson and Blackstock were married in 2013 and had two daughters together. Their separation became public in early 2022, leading to considerable media attention and speculation. Reba openly supported both during their tough times.
Just before his passing, McEntire and Blackstock were seen together at a rodeo event, which shows that they maintained a connection. A poignant statement released by Blackstock’s family shared the sadness of his death, noting he fought valiantly against cancer for over three years and passed away surrounded by loved ones.
In a heartfelt tribute, Shelby shared that their family had lost a brother, father, and grandfather, and described Brandon as irreplaceable and vibrant. He expressed his deep fondness, saying, “We always miss you, Brandon, and we never stop loving, remembering, celebrating you.”
Just a day before Brandon’s death, Clarkson announced the postponement of her shows in Las Vegas due to a family emergency. She noted that she normally keeps her private life under wraps, but her child’s father had been unwell, and she needed to focus on family.
