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Reba McEntire had a “precious” bond with her late stepson, Brandon Blackstock.
Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager, died on August 7 after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 48. McEntire, 70, said he was around 4 years old when she first met him, and around a decade later, she married his father, music manager Narvel Blackstock, 69. They were married from 1989 to 2015. The legendary country star said she embraced Brandon Blacksock and his siblings as her children, “and I absolutely love all four of them.”
“My relationship with my stepson, Brandon Blackstock, was precious. I absolutely love that child,” McEntire said in an interview clip with PEOPLE on Instagram. “He came into my life, I guess he was 4 years old. And then when Narvel and I got married, he was 13, 14, something like that. And along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with Shawna [Shawna Rene Blackstock] and Chass [Chassidy Celeste Blackstock] and Shelby [Shelby Blackstock]. And they were my kids. And I absolutely love all four of them, and they’re real tight. They’re very close, and Brandon is sorely missed. Truly missed. And with his mischievousness and his love of life, he brought joy to everybody that met him, and we’ll never forget him.”
McEntire shared a heartfelt tribute to Brandon Blackstock days after his passing, writing that “there is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.” She also said her son, Shelby Blackstock, whom she welcomed with ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, wrote a “very well said” post in his late brother’s honor. He said “Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family—funny, bright, and full of life—and he will be deeply missed.”
McEntire told Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura on the red carpet at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards last month that “we miss him. We miss him every minute. The kids are doing well. They’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time. We know God’s got this.”
Brandon Blackstock is survived by children Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage, grandson Lake, and children River and Remington, whom he shares with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson. Savannah also announced she’s pregnant with another child.
McEntire caught up with PEOPLE for the publication’s cover story. PEOPLE shared interview clips online on Tuesday (October 21), and the cover story will be available on stands on Friday (October 24). McEntire also spoke about feeling “happier now than I've ever been in my life,” shared new details about her engagement to actor Rex Linn, teased the upcoming season of Happy’s Place and more.