Reba McEntire paid tribute to his late son-in-law, Brandon Blackstockon what would have been his 49th birthday.
McEntire, 70, took to Instagram on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to publicly celebrate Brandon, who died in August after a long battle with cancer.
“Happy Birthday Brandon! We love and miss you so much. ❤️❤️❤️,” the country singer wrote alongside a photo of her and Brandon standing with McEntire’s stepdaughters Shawna and Chassidy, and biological son Shelby, each shared with McEntire’s ex-husband. Narwhal Stock-Black.
A representative for the Blackstock family confirmed via a statement to Us every week on August 7, Brandon, the ex-husband of Kelly Clarksonwas dead. He was 48 years old.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Brandon Blackstock. Brandon courageously battled cancer for over three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by his family,” a statement read at the time. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Details of his death were provided four days later, according to Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis. We that melanoma, a form of skin cancer, was the cause of Brandon’s death even though the cause was described as “natural causes.”
Reba McEntire, Brandon Blackstock and their family
Courtesy of Reba McEntire/InstagramHollis said in an Aug. 11 statement to We“Brandon Blackstock passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana, on August 7, under hospice care, surrounded by his family.”
An insider said We Following Brandon’s death, despite McEntire and Narvel, 69, divorcing in 2015 after 26 years of marriage, McEntire was bonded to Brandon and supported him during his final days.
“Reba has spent more time with the Blackstock crew over the past year than in previous years,” the source said. We exclusively on August 8. “They really came together.”
The insider added that McEntire spent a lot of time with the Blackstock clan, including at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she was one of three headliners. “When she did her rodeo gig, which was a big deal for her, she took the whole family on a plane and they made it a family vacation,” the source said. “They all spent a lot of time together.”
Reba McEntire
Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty ImagesA day before Brandon’s death, Clarkson, 43, put his Las Vegas residency on pause, alerting fans of Brandon’s illness without providing insight into the severity of his declining health.
“Unfortunately, I have to reschedule the remainder of the August studio session dates in Las Vegas,” the “Since U Been Gone” hitmaker announced via Instagram on August 6. “While I normally keep my personal life private, last year my children’s father was ill and right now I have to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who purchased tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Branson and Clarkson married in 2013 and welcomed two children during their relationship: daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9. The former couple broke up in 2020 and finalized their divorce in 2022.
