Reba McEntire Reveals She Missed a Final Phone Call From Dolly Parton

Reba McEntire has revealed she remains haunted by a missed phone call from Dolly Parton just a month before the legendary country music star passed away. Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a brief, private battle with cancer, sending deep shockwaves throughout the entire music industry.

Speaking in an interview shared with Entertainment Tonight, McEntire shared details regarding her final missed communication with her late friend and peer. The incident occurred near the end of July when Parton attempted to reach out by phone while McEntire was occupied.

McEntire explained that she was stuck inside a meeting when Parton called her. Although she immediately attempted to get back in touch with the legendary singer afterward, she was ultimately unable to reconnect before Parton's death on August 25.

Reflecting on the unanswered communication, McEntire admitted that the timing leaves her wondering about the purpose of the outreach. She noted that when she received the news of Parton's passing, her immediate thought was that she would never know why Parton called her, though she remains hopeful that she might find out one day.

McEntire previously honored Parton at the Emmy Awards earlier in the month with a moving performance of the late singer's classic track "Appalachian Memories." Following Parton's death last month, McEntire also shared a heartfelt social media tribute to celebrate her longtime friend and fellow country star.

In her public tribute, McEntire expressed gratitude for Parton's immense contributions during her time on earth, praising her huge heart, love, and timeless music. She wrote that Parton was going to have a wonderful time in heaven singing alongside family and friends who had gone before her.

Elsewhere in her recent interview, McEntire reflected fondly on the last time she was actually able to speak with Parton, calling the conversation truly special. She recalled that she did not want to let Parton go during that final chat, even though she knew her friend was busy.

Parton's representatives confirmed her passing on August 25, announcing that the music icon had been quietly facing a brief battle with cancer at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center while surrounded by loved ones. Following her death, Parton was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville next to her late husband, Carl Dean.

In the wake of her passing, family developments and legal headlines have also emerged surrounding her estate and security team. Parton's long-time manager, Danny Nozell, subsequently filed a lawsuit against Parton's nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, alleging extortion and threats, while insiders have commented on tensions involving family members.

McEntire continues to cherish her lasting memories of Parton, holding them closely with love in her heart as she remembers the profound impact her friend left on the music world and beyond.