Singer’s mom taught her and siblings to sing
Reba McEntire has postponed her mother’s funeral indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. The country superstar lost her mother Jacqueline to cancer over the weekend and shared the funeral news on social media Monday (March 16th).
“After much thought and careful consideration among our family, we have decided to indefinitely postpone Mama’s funeral and burial at this time,” she writes. “We will continue to monitor the situation and let you know as soon as possible about future plans to celebrate her life when it is safe for everyone to attend. Thank you for all the calls, cards, thoughts and prayers for our family at this difficult time.”
The elder McEntire lost her battle with cancer on Saturday (March 14th) at the age of 93. She is survived by children Reba, Pake, Alice, Susie and dozens of grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family lovingly asks that memorials be sent to the Reba McEntire Fund to benefit the Jacqueline McEntire Library Fund. Donations can be made online or mailed to:
The Reba McEntire Fund
5036 Reba Drive
Denison, Texas, 75020
In the memo line please write “Jacqueline McEntire.”
Jacqueline taught her children, Reba, Pake, Susie and Alice to sing during road trips between their father’s rodeos growing up. Reba, Pake and Susie formed The Singing McEntires as kids with each one pursing solo careers as adults.
Jacqueline was a strong supporter of Reba, often encouraging her to chase her dreams. Before being signed to Mercury Records in 1975, the mother and daughter took Reba’s first trip to Nashville together where she threw up on the steps of the Grand Ole Opry when it was held at the Ryman Auditorium.
The duo collaborated with younger sister and Christian artist Susie McEntire on her 2017 gospel album, Sing It Now: Songs of Hope and Faith. Reba dedicated “You Never Gave Up On Me,” from her most recent album, Stronger Than The Truth, to her mother.
The singer lost her father, steer roper Clark McEntire, in October 2014, two days after signing a contract with Big Machine Label Group. She dedicated “Just Like Them Horses” to him from her Love Somebody album in 2015.
