{"id":23246,"date":"2025-08-11T21:26:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T21:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=23246"},"modified":"2025-08-11T21:26:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T21:26:09","slug":"she-wasnt-just-his-stepmom-she-was-his-rock-from-the-moment-brandon-blackstock-entered-her-life-reba-mcentire-treated-him-like-her-own-flesh-and-blood-standing-by-him-through-every","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=23246","title":{"rendered":"She wasn\u2019t just his stepmom\u2014she was his rock. From the moment Brandon Blackstock entered her life, Reba McEntire treated him like her own flesh and blood, standing by him through every milestone, every heartbreak, and every triumph. Once, she summed it up in six simple words: \u201cI love him like he\u2019s my blood.\u201d Today, those words cut deeper than ever. Brandon has passed away at just 48, after a quiet, courageous battle with cancer. \ud83d\udc94 Their bond was more than family\u2014it was a story of love, loyalty, and unshakable connection. And now, Reba faces the unthinkable: saying goodbye to the man she helped raise, but will always call her son."},"content":{"rendered":"

The country legend previously said she \u201cclaims\u201d Blackstock as her own biological son<\/h2>\n
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Reba McEntire\u2019s bond with Brandon Blackstock was special.<\/p>\n

The 70-year-old country superstar was the former stepmother to the late talent manager from her previous marriage to ex Narvel Blackstock.<\/p>\n

Brandon, who\u00a0died of cancer\u00a0this week at the age of 48, had a close bond with McEntire throughout his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrandon\u2019s been my son forever it seems,\u201d McEntire told\u00a0Entertainment Tonight<\/em> in October 2021, years after her divorce from Narvel. \u201cAlthough he\u2019s my stepson, I still love him like he\u2019s my total \u2014 my blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Stephen Lovekin\/Getty Brandon Blackstock and Reba McEntire in Nashville in September 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

McEntire tied the knot with Narvel in 1989 and the former pair were married for 26 years before divorcing in 2015. The exes share son Shelby Blackstock, 35, as well as Narvel\u2019s three children \u2014 Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna \u2014 from his previous marriage to Elisa Gayle Ritter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t consider Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna [Blackstock] stepchildren,\u201d McEntire told\u00a0The Boot<\/em>\u00a0in 2010. \u201cI claim them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Michael Buckner\/Getty Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock in Phoenix in March 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In December 2023, McEntire shared with PEOPLE that her joy comes in part from her kids and their well-being. \u201cI\u2019m at a really good place in my life,\u201d she said at the time. \u201cI\u2019m happy, I\u2019m in love.\u00a0My kids are all healthy. My family\u2019s healthy. So I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the years, Clarkson and McEntire have also opened up about their connection through Brandon. In 2019, the \u201cFancy\u201d singer appeared as a guest on\u00a0The Kelly Clarkson Show<\/em><\/a>, where Clarkson said, \u201cI ended up marrying your oldest son and you got stuck with me more,\u201d to which McEntire replied, \u201cThank goodness, thank goodness.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Clarkson and Brandon announced their split in 2020, McEntire chose to stay out of the drama between her chosen son and her longtime friend.<\/p>\n

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Todd Williamson\/Getty Reba McEntire, John Espositio, Blake Shelton, Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson in Los Angeles in February 2012 More<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>