Reba McEntire Haunted by Missed Call from Dolly Parton Before Her Death
McEntire revealed she was unable to return Parton's call, a missed connection that weighs on her.
Reba McEntire has shared that she missed a phone call from her friend Dolly Parton about a month before Parton's death and was never able to reconnect with her.
"She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call," McEntire told Entertainment Tonight in a recent interview. "I tried to get back in touch with her, and I couldn’t. Never made connection."
McEntire, 71, recalled that when she received news of Parton's passing on August 25, her immediate thought was, "I'll never know why she called me." However, she expressed hope that she might "find out one day."
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives announced that she had been secretly battling the illness and passed away at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones.
Following Parton's death, McEntire honored the country music legend at the Emmy Awards, performing Parton's song "Appalachian Memories." She also took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute.
"Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side," McEntire 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."
McEntire added that Parton was "gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her." She stated she would "never forget" their last conversation, describing it as "really special" and admitting she "didn’t want to let her go."
Parton was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, next to her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. Parton's sisters have addressed online rumors of a family feud following her death, which occurred after her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, was reportedly fired.