Reba McEntire pens sweet remembrance of 'oldest son' Brandon Blackstock
Reba McEntire is remembering her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who died at 48 following a cancer battle.
"Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God's presence," McEntire shared in an Aug. 12 Instagram post.
"There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together," she continued. "His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again."
Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's onetime manager and husband from 2013 to 2020, died Aug. 7 after a three-year cancer battle. His cause of death was determined to be melanoma.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a statement from Blackstock's family, shared with Paste BN Aug. 7, read.
"Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family," the statement continued. "We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time."
How are Reba McEntire and Brandon Blackstock related?
McEntire married Blackstock's father, music manager Narvel Blackstock, in 1989; they had one son, racecar driver Shelby Blackstock. The two divorced in 2015.
After Clarkson and Blackstock announced their split in 2020, McEntire told Entertainment Tonight that though she considered Blackstock to be a son, she wasn't taking sides during the divorce.
"Brandon's been my son forever it seems. Although he's my stepson, I still love him like he's my total (son) – my blood, so I'm praying for 'em both 'cause I love 'em both," McEntire said.
Blackstock and Clarkson have two children: River Rose Blackstock, 11, and Remington "Remy" Alexander Blackstock, 9. He also has two children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth: Savannah and Seth Blackstock.
Speaking with People magazine in 2018, McEntire counted Blackstock and Clarkson's son and daughter among her seven grandchildren at the time.
Contributing: Jay Stahl, Paste BN