Reba McEntire has revealed that she missed a final phone call from her friend Dolly Parton just weeks before the country music icon died.
Parton, the legendary singer behind “Jolene,” died at 80 on August 25 after privately battling cancer.
“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” the 71-year-old actress and country star told Entertainment Tonight.
McEntire said she attempted to return the call but was never able to reach Parton. “And then when my buddy called me and said, ‘Dolly’s gone,’ I thought, ‘I’ll never know why she called me.’”
The “Reba” star added, “I’ll find out one day. What a blessing she was for all of us.”
The Daily Mail has contacted McEntire’s representatives for comment but has not received a response.
Reba McEntire, 71, said she missed friend Dolly Parton’s final phone call one month before the singer’s death; pictured in Texas in 2025
“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” McEntire recently told Entertainment Tonight
Following news of Parton’s death, McEntire paid tribute to her longtime friend in an emotional Instagram post celebrating her life and legacy.
“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” she wrote.
“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.”
McEntire continued, “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.”
The actress concluded by writing that she would “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, Reba.”
Earlier this month, McEntire joined a special tribute to Parton during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.
She appeared onstage to perform Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories” as part of the ceremony’s heartfelt tribute.
McEntire shared a moving Instagram tribute to Parton after news of the singer’s death emerged, reflecting on her remarkable life
McEntire participated in a special Dolly Parton tribute during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards earlier this month
She performed Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories” during the ceremony; McEntire and Parton are pictured together in 1985
An orchestra accompanied McEntire throughout the emotional performance.
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McEntire later took to Instagram to reflect on taking part in the tribute and wrote, ‘I will always love and miss you, Dolly. What an honor to celebrate @DollyParton tonight.’
Fans had jumped to X to share their thoughts on Parton’s tribute during the 2026 Emmys, with one penning, ‘The Emmys Dolly Parton section..my heart can’t take it I can’t believe she’s actually gone:((.’
‘#Emmys Reba sounded great paying tribute to Dolly Parton,’ another wrote, and a fan added, ‘Did that #Emmys tribute to Dolly make me cry? Yes. Yes it did.’
Parton passed away at the age of 80 last month on August 25, and her death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver in an Instagram video.
Her passing took place after being admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Parton’s representatives soon revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’ in a statement to People.
‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.
Her passing took place after being admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ; Parton seen in 2001 in Nashville
‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’
Parton’s sister Stella revealed that the singer had kept her cancer diagnosis hidden from ‘a lot of her family.’
She explained that ‘Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it,’ during an interview on CBS Mornings with Gayle King.
Stella further stated that Parton ‘didn’t want a lot of family worried about it’ before sharing that ‘some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer.’
Parton’s sister Stella revealed that the singer had kept her cancer diagnosis hidden from ‘a lot of her family; Parton and her sister Stella seen in 2014 in Nashville
The music artist’s sister expressed that Parton ‘did not want people sad and she did not want people worried’; seen in 2025 in Nashville
The music artist’s sister expressed that Parton ‘did not want people sad and she did not want people worried.
‘She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love because she knew that that would make us feel better as her family.’
Stella had reflected on her sister’s positivity and kindness towards others amid her health battle.
‘What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future,’ Stella wrote on Facebook.