Reba McEntire Opens Up About Missing Dolly Parton’s Final Phone Call
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Country music icons Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton shared an incredibly special bond before Dolly’s passing in August. The two enjoyed a sweet friendship that spanned nearly five decades, beginning when they first met at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977.
Over the years, they remained close while supporting one another through major moments in their personal lives and careers. Dolly also became a source of support for Reba during one of the most difficult moments of her career.
In 1991, eight members of Reba’s touring band and crew were killed in a plane crash after a show in San Diego. In the aftermath, Dolly offered Reba the use of her own band, allowing her to continue touring while rebuilding her team.
The two also worked together professionally, and in 2005, Dolly guest-starred on Reba’s sitcom, playing a character named Dolly Majors.
Shortly after news broke of Dolly’s death, Reba took to social media to share a touching tribute in her honor.
Reba also paid tribute to Dolly in a very special performance during the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Wearing an elegant all-white gown and performing on a heavenly, cloud-filled stage, Reba delivered a moving rendition of Dolly’s iconic “Appalachian Memories.”
Holding back tears, Reba sang as a montage of photos from Dolly’s life played behind her, honoring the country legend’s remarkable life and legacy.
Reba Shares She Missed Dolly’s Final Call Before Her Death
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Reba shared that she is left with one question following her dear friend’s death.
At the end of July, Dolly called while Reba was sitting in a meeting. Reba wasn’t able to answer the phone, and although she tried to return the call afterward, the two never got the chance to reconnect.
“I’ll never know why she called me,” Reba said while recalling the moment in a new interview, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Just weeks later, she received heartbreaking news. On the morning of Aug. 25, her friend Lisa Davis called to tell her that Dolly had died. She was 80.
Before that missed call, Reba and Dolly had managed to stay in touch despite their busy schedules often making it difficult to find time to talk. Reba explained that their most recent conversation was “really special,” saying she knew Dolly had a lot going on but didn’t want to be the one to end the call.
While she may never know what Dolly had been calling for in this lifetime, Reba says she finds comfort in knowing “one day” she’ll find out.
