Reba McEntire Is against Calling Her Kids ‘Stepchildren’ — She Would Fly Home after Concerts to Take Son to School

Apart from her career successes, Reba McEntire is a loving mother who saw her five stepkids as her own. The singer disliked whenever they were called her stepchildren. Simultaneously, she bonded with her only son and would fly from her concert venue to another city to take him to school in the morning.

Reba McEntire, often referred to by her first name, Reba, is a talented powerhouse who has contributed immensely to the country music genre. No wonder she is described as “the Queen of Country.”

Over the years, this amazon has built a successful career thanks to her consistency and passion for music. She has topped billboard charts and sold about seventy million tracks worldwide.

Reba McEntire in Nashville circa 1976. | Source: Getty Images

Interestingly, she is also an actress and owns different businesses, including a clothing line. Reba may be called the “The Queen Of Country,” but she is also the Queen of her life and knows how to control her affairs, particularly motherhood.

The country crooner is a doting mom to her only son and shows nothing but genuine love to her stepkids. Despite her two failed marriages, she maintained a non-toxic relationship with her exes and their kids.

Her motherhood duty is one she holds dearly. Consequently, Reba influenced her son, Shelby Blackstock, who also lives an incredible life, career-wise and personally.

Shelby was the product of her long-term marriage to Narvel Blackstock. Although he did not walk on the same path as his mother in terms of career, he made history in his desired profession.

This shows that the apple did not fall far from the tree. But apart from inheriting his mother’s exceptional work ethic to make a mark, he is also blessed with a mother who values family.

Reba McEntire Meeting Her Stepkids

Reba had always fancied having a close relationship with her family. During her teenage years, she looked out for her sister, Alice. She wanted to matchmake Alice with Charlie Battles, but he later became her first husband.

Amid her busy career, Reba remained humble and loving to her family, including her ex-husband’s kids, Coty and Lance, from Battles’ and Brandon, Chassidy, and Shawna, from Narvel. In 2010, she admitted, “I claim them all.”

Shelby Blackstock and singer Reba McEntire at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Reba and Battles met in 1971, and according to her autobiographical “Reba: My Story,” it was in the rodeo scene. When she saw him, she quickly mentioned him to her sister.

Following their meeting, Reba began to crush on him. Although he was ten years her senior, a married man with two kids, her feelings remained intact, and when he finally divorced, they proceeded to a courtship.

At the time, Reba was still in college and had barely launched her music career. Still, she carried on with the romance.

Reba McEntire, Narvel Blackstock, and son Shelby Blackstock at the 28th Annual People’s Choice Awards. | Source: Getty Images

In her book, she noted that their relationship should have ended as soon as it began, but it was impossible at the time as she found him impressive.

Battles was reliable in times of need. For example, when she lost her grandfather, he provided a shoulder to lean on. Also, he displayed his protective nature during a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend.

Five years after their first meeting, the duo tied the knot. However, their marriage faced increased tension as time passed, and the once attractive characters became shortcomings.

Reba was formerly excited about her husband’s protective attitude, but it transformed into verbal abuse, and he became controlling, especially as her fame heightened.

Eleven years after their marriage, the singer decided to end it. Instead, she considered following her passion and doing what she felt was best.

At the same time, Reba had become close to Narvel, her newest recruit, after firing her manager. It took some time for the singer to get noticed, so she restructured her band, employing Narvel.

Reba McEntire and husband Narvel Blackstock and their son Shelby at the premiere of “A Walk To Remember” at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2002. | Source: Getty Images

The duo became close but worked professionally for some years before becoming romantically involved. A few months after Reba’s divorce, he also ended his marriage with Elisa Gayle Ritter, the mother of his three kids.

In 1989, Narvel married the singer in a blissful wedding ceremony in Lake Tahoe. The following year, the duo welcomed their only child, Shelby.

Unlike her first marriage, her second was peaceful. They were like minds in the music business and supported each other, making it easier for her career to reach its peak.

With Narvel navigating her career through his management, Reba produced chart-topping songs and her “My Kind of Country” album under MCA Nashville Records that catapulted her to the world stage.

This was barely the beginning; Narvel stirred her towards Hollywood. She complied by featuring in Kevin Bacon’s “Tremors” and later a sitcom bearing her name “Reba.”

The pair continued to record success stories with her studio records, thanks to her supportive manager-husband and open-mindedness.

Producer Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire at the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

This power couple remained solid until 2015 when they shocked the world with news of their divorce. First, they separated for several months before proceeding with a divorce.

A close friend of the couple mentioned that during the years, they grew apart owing to Reba’s busy schedule.

Sources later confirmed that Narvel pulled the plugs on their marriage. However, despite falling out of love, the former couple maintained their professional relationship.

Reba McEntire Is an Admirable Mom

Amid her busy career, Reba remained humble and loving to her family, including her ex-husband’s kids, Coty and Lance, from Battles’ and Brandon, Chassidy, and Shawna, from Narvel. In 2010, she admitted, “I claim them all.”

Indeed, she has remained supportive and even refers to their kids as her grandkids. However, the country star revealed that she was heartbroken following Brandon’s divorce from pop star Kelly Clarkson.

A source claimed she was “torn” by their separation because she “adores” their kids and Clarkson. The insider added:

“She loved Brandon and Kelly like her own, she refuses to pick sides, but she’s afraid of how contentious it’s getting.”

Although there might have been a few glitches, like Brandon’s nasty divorce battle, all five of her stepkids ultimately have successful careers and personal lives.

Country singer Reba McEntire and her son Shelby in the Broadway musical “Annie Get Your Gun.”| Source: Getty Images

Coty, her first stepchild, was a former wrestler who now resides in his ranch home in Waco, Texas. According to his Facebook page, he is also in a relationship with Amy Huffman.

His younger brother, Lance, has managed to stay away from the spotlight, and nearly nothing is known about his personal life or profession.

Reba’s third stepchild, Shawna, also lives a very private life. Unlike her siblings, Brandon, she refuses to follow in their father’s footsteps and only shares her details with friends and family.

Brandon, a well-known talent manager, is the most famous of the brood. He shares four kids with his ex-wives.

First, he was married to Melissa Ashworth, with whom he shares Seth and Savannah, and later, Clarkson, mother to River Rose and Remington.

The singer’s last stepdaughter, Chassidy, is one of the closest to her. Although she maintains a low-key lifestyle, in the past, she has been spotted next to Reba at different events.

Like his stepbrother, Reba’s only son has a remarkable career. He is a successful race car driver who has competed in top races. Shelby is also a family man who married Marissa Branch in 2022.

During an interview, the couple publicly pledged their commitment to their marriage, noting that they intend to create a legacy despite life’s challenges.

Through his life’s decisions, Shelby honors his mother, who is exceptionally proud of the man her son became. But it was only possible due to his upbringing.

Fame and fortune never got in the way of teaching her son values and preventing him from being spoiled. While recounting her motherhood journey, she shared:

“I’m very proud of him. He’s always trying to improve and do better. His daddy did a great job too…Shelby is a gift from God to me. We’re very close. I was a very self-centered person to a degree before Shelby…there’s a little character who you are given the job to protect and nurture and teach.”

Reba invested time in teaching her son. However, she never allowed him to win when they played a game, except he genuinely earned the victory.

Although she employed nannies, the singer often flew whenever she was away from home to get him to school and pick him up.

Today, mother and son are inseparable. Their story continues to inspire young female celebrities that having a career should not interfere with parenting because time lost can never be regained.