On Saturday (March 14), Reba McEntire said goodbye to her beloved mother, Jacqueline. Reba shared the news of her mother’s passing on social media, writing, “Our Mother, Jacqueline McEntire, made that wonderful cross over into Heaven today.”
The “Back to God” singer said her mother lived a long, healthy life, although she was battling cancer at the time of her passing. She was 92 years old.
“The cancer might think it won the battle but we’re giving God all the credit on selecting the time for her to go home to Him,” Reba wrote in her tribute to her mother.
She said that her mother “was absolutely ready to go” to be reunited with her husband (Reba’s father), Clark, and her other family members and friends. Jacqueline and Clark were married for 66 years before Clark passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.
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Reba said she, her siblings (Alice, Pake, and Susie), and all of Jacqueline’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were able to tell her goodbye, whether it was in person or over the phone.
“Jackie, Jac, Ms McEntire, Mama, Mama Jac, Momo Jac, Grandma, Grandma Jac, whatever the title was at the time – she gave you her undivided attention. We’re all going to miss her but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba wrote.
One person who shared the wonderful memories he has of Jacqueline was Reba’s son, Shelby Blackstock.
“Yesterday we lost one of the best. Grandma Jack was an amazing woman, wife, mother, and grandmother,” Shelby wrote in a tribute post to his grandmother on social media.
He posted a slideshow of photos that show him with his grandma in recent years, and they’re all so heartwarming to see. You can feel the love between Jacquline and Shelby in each snapshot.
Shelby ended his tribute with a sweet message about his never-ending love for his grandmother, writing, “You will be greatly missed, but you’re in a better place with grandpa. I love you very much!”
You can read Shelby’s full tribute and see his slideshow below.
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Jacqueline was passionate about education, and worked for 20 years across various Oklahoma school districts as a teacher, librarian, and secretary. In lieu of flowers, her family would like memorials to be sent to the Reba McEntire Fund to benefit the Jacqueline McEntire Library Fund.
Reba described how the donations could be made. You can see that information below:
Donations can be made online at https://www.texomagivingpartners.org/donate or mailed to:
The Reba McEntire Fund
5036 Reba Drive
Denison, Texas, 75020In the memo line please write “Jacqueline McEntire”
Phone: THF – Texoma Giving Partners at 903.337.0755
You can also remember Jacqueline by listening to Reba’s song, “You Never Gave Up On Me,” which she recorded in her honor. The song’s official audio clip is below.
Our hearts go out to Reba, Shelby, and all of Jacqueline’s loved ones and friends during this sad time. May she rest in peace.