After Dolly Parton’s passing, Reba McEntire recently recalled a phone call from the late star that she wishes she could have answered. The country singer recently shared that Parton reached out to her toward the end of July, but McEntire was in a meeting and could not pick up.What happened afterwards has stayed with Reba McEntire. She tried to return the call, but the two friends never managed to connect again. When McEntire later learned that Parton had passed away, one of her first thoughts was about that unanswered call and what her longtime friend may have wanted to tell her. McEntire spoke about the moment during an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Reba McEntire tried to call Dolly Parton back
Reba McEntire explained that getting the chance to speak with Parton was already special because their busy schedules often made it difficult for them to connect. The singer recalled that Parton eventually called her near the end of July. Unfortunately, McEntire was in a meeting and did not see the call in time. She later attempted to reach Parton herself, but the conversation never happened. McEntire described how difficult it was for the two friends to connect because of their schedules, saying, “It took us a long time to connect because of our schedules and things. And it was really special when we finally did connect and get to talk.”The unanswered call became especially difficult to think about after McEntire learned that Parton had passed away. McEntire said she immediately wondered why Parton had called in the first place. She admitted that she may never know what her friend wanted to discuss, although she believes she will find out someday. As she recalled, “I thought, I’ll never know why she called me. So that… I’ll find out one day.” That thought gives the story an emotional edge. It was not simply a missed phone call between two busy entertainers. It became a final unanswered question between two people who had known each other for many years.
A friendship that went beyond country music
McEntire and Parton had a connection that stretched back decades. Their friendship began long before their more recent collaborations and grew through their shared experiences in the country music world. McEntire has previously spoken about meeting Parton at the Grand Ole Opry in 1977. At the time, McEntire was making her debut at the famous venue. Parton’s unexpected arrival made such an impression on her that the young singer was more than willing to give up her performance time simply for the opportunity to meet her.Over the years, that first encounter developed into a genuine friendship. Their professional paths also crossed several times. Parton appeared on McEntire’s television series ‘Reba’, while the two singers later recorded together. Their musical connection gave fans a chance to see two generations of country music stars sharing the same space. But for McEntire, their relationship was never limited to music or television appearances.
Dolly Parton supported Reba McEntire during a difficult period
One of the most meaningful chapters in their friendship came after the 1991 plane crash involving members of McEntire’s touring team. The tragedy left McEntire facing an incredibly painful period in her life and career saying, “It was really hard for me to get back onstage.” Returning to the stage was difficult, especially because the people who had travelled and worked alongside her were suddenly gone.Parton stepped in to help. She offered McEntire the use of her own band. McEntire later described the gesture as “such a gift to see how many people stepped forward to help and to reassure, because so many of us had hearts that were broken.” giving her practical support at a time when getting back to work felt almost impossible. That gesture remained important to McEntire. It was the kind of support that went beyond the usual friendship between two performers. Parton understood what McEntire was facing and offered help when she needed it most.
The missed call now carries a different meaning
Because of their history, McEntire’s missed call has taken on a significance she could not have expected at the time. Had she known it would be her final opportunity to speak with Parton, she might have approached the moment very differently. Instead, it was an ordinary workday interruption: a meeting, a missed call and an attempt to reconnect later. That is perhaps why the memory has remained with her.McEntire has not claimed to know what Parton wanted. She simply knows that Parton reached out, and they never got the chance to finish that conversation. For now, she has chosen to hold onto the possibility that she will understand the reason someday.
Reba McEntire remembers Dolly Parton with love
Following Parton’s passing, McEntire shared a heartfelt tribute to her friend, remembering the impact she had on her life and the lives of countless others. The final phone call may remain unanswered, but it has become part of the story McEntire carries with her. Sometimes, the moments people remember most are not the grand performances or public celebrations. They can be as simple as a phone ringing at the wrong time and a conversation that never happened. For McEntire, that missed call is now one more memory connected to a friendship she clearly treasured. And although she may never know exactly what Parton wanted to say, she believes there will come a time when she gets her answer.