Watch: Billy Ray Cyrus Shares Never-Before-Seen 1992 Letter From Dolly Parton
Reba McEntire is looking back on her time with Dolly Parton.
The Reba star shared that before Parton died on Aug. 25 at age 80, she received a call from the “9 to 5” hitmaker that went unanswered.
“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” McEntire told Entertainment Tonight of Parton in a recent interview. “I tried to get back in touch with her and I couldn’t. Never made connection.”
So, when a friend told the 71-year-old that Dolly was “gone” a month later, “I thought, ‘I’ll never know why she called me.’”
But the “Fancy” singer is holding out hope that she’ll “find out one day.”
Though McEntire wasn’t able to talk with Parton in the weeks leading to her death, she did recall their final conversation.
“Well, it took us a long time to connect because of our schedules and things,” McEntire explained. “And it was really special when we finally did connect and get to talk.”
While it proved difficult to get in touch with Parton, the “I’m a Survivor” singer shared she was especially reluctant to end their last catch-up.
“I didn’t want to keep her. I knew she was busy because she always is,” she added. “But I didn’t want to let her go.”
She added, “What a blessing she was for all of us.”
Parton died four days after she was hospitalized in Nashville, Tenn., following a brief battle with cancer.
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“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” her reps told MS NOW in a statement after confirming her cause of death. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”
Following news of her passing, McEntire—who sang Parton’s 1983 track “Appalachian Memories” at the 2026 Emmys in her honor—shared where her head was at after learning her “buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side.”
“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth,” McEntire shared on Instagram alongside a carousel of moments from their decades-long friendship. “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.”
“There will never ever be another you,” she added. “We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. 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.”
McEntire signed off, “I will always love you.”
Keep reading for more stars who spoke out about Parton’s passing…
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“Later she shot a promo for her NBC Christmas special,” he continued, “and when she got on a stool wearing her short skirt she said to the audience, ‘I gotta be careful or else I’m gonna show y’all my box office!'”The former Saturday Night Live member praised Parton’s joke.”Too dirty for church, too clean for the bar,” he added. “Just like her, it was just right. What a light.”
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“If there’s someone you wanna look up to and model your life after, it’s Dolly,” Perry concluded. “Dolly was glam, funny, and kind as fuck. Her star will forever shine bright and I bet you she’s already remodeling them pearly gates with rhinestones.”
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