Reba McEntire haunted by missed call from Dolly Parton a month before her death

Reba McEntire revealed she missed a call from longtime friend and fellow country music icon Dolly Parton, about a month before her death aged 80.

McEntire, 71, said she was haunted by the fact she was never able to reconnect with Parton in those few weeks between the missed call and her passing in August.

“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” McEntire told Entertainment Tonight.

“I tried to get back in touch with her, and I couldn’t. Never made connection.”

McEntire then said that when she got word that “Dolly’s gone” on August 25 she thought, “I’ll never know why she called me.”

Despite the pain of not knowing, she remains hopeful that she’ll “find out one day.”

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Parton and McEntire met in 1977 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, when a 22-year-old McEntire was making her debut.

At the time, staff told McEntire they’d cut one of her two planned songs because Parton had just arrived. She happily made space for the Jolene singer.

Their bond lasted nearly five decades, built on deep mutual respect as pioneering women in country music.

Parton famously offered her own band to McEntire in 1991 after a tragic plane crash killed members of McEntire’s touring crew and band.

Over the years, Parton guest-starred on McEntire’s sitcom Reba in 2005 and recorded a version of Does He Love You for Reba’s 2021 album.

Earlier in September, McEntire honoured Parton at the Emmy Awards with a performance of the late singer’s song Appalachian Memories.

Following the news of Parton’s death, McEntire remembered her friend with a touching social media tribute.

“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” she wrote at the time.

“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.

“Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.

“There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.

“Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.

“I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you.”

McEntire called the last time she was able to speak with Parton “really special” and she “didn’t want to let her go” despite knowing she was busy.

Parton’s cause of death was confirmed the same day her death was announced, with those close to her revealing she had been secretly battling cancer.