Reba McEntire Says She Missed a Call from Dolly Parton Before Her Death and ‘Couldn’t’ Get Back in Touch: ‘I’ll Never Know Why She Called’

Reba McEntire revealed her longtime friend Dolly Parton tried to get in touch with her just before she died.

The country singer and actress shared that she missed a call from Parton, who died Aug. 25 after a “brief battle” with cancer, and was unable to get in touch with her one final time.

“She did call me the last of July, and I was in a meeting and I missed her call,” McEntire told Entertainment Tonight. “I tried to get back in touch with her and I couldn’t, never made a connection. And then when my buddy called me and said, ‘Dolly’s gone,’ I thought, ‘I’ll never know why she called me.’”

McEntire added, “I’ll find out one day.”

The friends collaborated on several projects together, including their cover of “Does He Love You” for McEntire’s album in 2021 and co-hosting the 2019 CMA awards. McEntire recently performed a tribute for Parton at the Emmys with an emotional cover of “Appalachian Memories” and was one of the many people who honored Parton online after the news of her passing.

“Well, I just got the news that my 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 wrote on X. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”

She added, “Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. 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. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”