Reba McEntire Honors Her Late Mother on a Special National Occasion

On August 9, Reba McEntire shared a heartwarming moment in honor of National Book Lovers Day. She posted a touching photo of her mother, Jacqueline Smith, reading a book as they both relaxed on a rock in the sunshine. Reba, with her head rested on Jacqueline’s lap, reclined there gazing into the distance.

Reba, 69, spoke fondly of her mother’s deep love for books and highlighted Jacqueline’s special library in Atoka, Oklahoma. “Today is #NationalBookLoversDay and I couldn’t think of a better day to celebrate my Mama!…You can read stories about her, my family and so much more, all in my book #NotThatFancy!” Reba wrote.

Reba credits her mother for her illustrious music career. From a young age, Jacqueline supported Reba, nurturing her budding talent. Reba recalled participating in The Singing McEntires during her junior high school years, with Jacqueline living out her own dream of becoming a country singer through Reba and her siblings.

She admitted to occasionally losing interest in singing when she was younger, but Jacqueline always ensured she stayed on track until Reba fully embraced her passion. Beyond music, Reba also tried her hand at acting, leading to the successful six-season run of her sitcom, Reba.

In 2020, Jacqueline passed away at the age of 93 after a tough battle with cancer. Her death deeply affected Reba, leaving her on the brink of quitting music altogether, as Jacqueline had always been her main source of motivation. But with her sister’s support, Reba returned to the studio. She even created a tribute music video for “You Never Gave Up on Me” and performed “Seven Minutes In Heaven” on The Voice.

Despite working through her grief, Reba confessed that memories of Jacqueline can still be triggering. Photos, videos, or mere thoughts of her mother often leave Reba speechless, a testament to the profound impact Jacqueline had on her life.