Reba McEntire Sleeps under Handmade Quilt from Late Mom Whose Loss She Overcame with Her Family’s Support

Like a quilt, Reba McEntire’s family wraps her with so much love and warmth after her mom’s painful exit. The American country music singer and businesswoman has published a new book based on her mother’s memories.

The singer, often referred to as the “Queen of country,” titled the book “Comfort From A Country Quilt.” She said the book is a family book and likened it to a quilt-bits and pieces of memories that she stitched together.

McEntire revealed that the book is a collection of her favorite stories, memories, and experiences of her life. This quilt of a book is meant to be an exciting read, to entertain and comfort readers, and can be shared with family and friends. 

Reba McEntire speaks onstage during the 54th Annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center on November 11, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

The wholesome book has been acclaimed as worth your time and inclusive of McEntire’s inherited wisdom. The legendary musician also announced that she has another forthcoming lifestyle book which will be published in the fall of 2023.

This yet-to-be-published book will include food and drink recipes and lifestyle tips, and each chapter will revolve around her legendary songs.

TREASURED QUILTS 

Reba McEntire attends the 53nd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Growing up in a home of quilt makers, McEntire is privy to the intricacies of making a beautiful masterpiece.

It is an inherited tradition, as her grandmother, her mum, and her aunt Jeannie all made beautiful quilts that they gave during holidays to happy recipients. She said:

“I loved big boxes at Christmastime knowing it was a quilt. I knew a quilt was a gift I would cherish always.”

A portrait of country singer Reba McEntire | Source: Getty Images

McEntire watched as her mum started a quilt from start to finish. From the scraps of clothes selected from previously sewn dresses, cut into square shapes and sewn together, tacking in the batting and the finishing of the border. 

These quilts embodied love and sacrifice, selfless hours spent on their creation, and the happiness they brought to the receiver. McEntire said: “…her precious handiwork [sic] represented so many hours of love.”

A quilt represented fond memories, a sacrifice of love, creativity, and a connection between the past and present for the singer. McEntire was the recipient of this thoughtful gift, and it was one of the best gifts she received. She said:

“I was very blessed to receive one of mama’s quilts.”

She also mentioned how good owning a quilt made her feel. She said: “It feels better than anything you can imagine.” In her words, she described a quilt as: “Like a mother, it wraps its arms around you – so soft, yet so sturdy, and so comforting.”

LOSS OF A BELOVED MOTHER

The singer’s mother and quilt maker died on March 14, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Jacqueline Smith, McEntire’s mum, died at the age of 94.

The musician was heartbroken and inconsolable when she lost her mom. She said she had no reason to make music anymore. However, in a recent interview, she said:

“When she passed, it was like, well, who am I doing it for?”

Reba McEntire (R) and Jacqueline Smith arrive at Muhammad Ali’s 22nd Celebrity Fight Night held at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on April 9, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. | Source: Getty Images

McEntire and her mum were two peas in a pod and could be spotted going out together. One of such occasions was Muhammad Ali’s celebrity fight night, where they were seen looking cute together.

McEntire announced her mum’s death in a post on her Twitter page and said her mum had gone to meet her dad in heaven.

Singer Reba McEntire and her mother Jacqueline Smith at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XXII at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on April 8, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. | Source: Getty Images

She professed her love and admiration for her mum and said she would be greatly missed. She also said:

“We’re giving God all the credit for selecting the time for her to go home to Him.”

The singer’s deep loss cannot be imagined, and their last moments together will forever be fresh in memory. 

OVERCOMING THE LOSS

After her mum’s death, the singer headed home to take charge of funeral arrangements with the family. It was a tough period in the musician’s life but was only bearable because she was surrounded by loved ones like her sister, Susie, and brother-in-law, Mark.

She had an opportunity to go through this emotional phase with her family, who were a pillar of support. They cleaned her mum’s house together and made discoveries of pictures, books, and clothes. It was a huge blessing for McEntire. According to her:

“We cried. We laughed. We’re toasting mama.”

On Instagram, McEntire posted a picture of her smiley self and her family during their time together. They all looked happy.

Jacqueline Smith was the ideal family woman who put family first, and this is evident by the way her children and family felt over her loss.

McEntire posted on Twitter a family picture of her mum looking happy and surrounded by her children and a caption that tells us the late mum was a whole lot of things to different people.

One of the people who made her mum’s loss bearable is her partner Rex Linn, an American film and television actor. Linn made sure to keep McEntire occupied so as not to brood over her loss.

They went to an AMC private screening and had their first movie date. McEntire could be seen having fun and looking elated. McEntire updated her Instagram page when she and her partner had a couples dinner.

She also posted a picture of them on a ranch with a “poncho.” They appropriately dressed for the weather and were all smiles and happy.

McEntire and Linn, who have been friends for over 30 years but started dating in 2020, have gone public about their relationship status. A post on Instagram with the caption:

“TATER TOT. Angel on the ground and in cooler.”

It shows how affectionate they are toward one another and the cool nickname he gave her. Linn said he gave her the name after a date where they ordered Tater tots, and she “delved” into them. 

He knew then and there that this was the perfect name for her and had ever since called her that. Although mum is gone, McEntire has fond memories of her and most especially the beautiful quilt her mum made especially for her, which is a great reminder of her love.

The beautiful quilt does not match her furniture in Los Angeles, but it is her favorite. It gives her comfort and warmth that cannot be imagined, but most of all, it was made by her mum after her dad’s demise in 1950.

The beautiful musician has moved on and is finding assistance with family, friends, and the love of her life. We hope this quilt will be a daily reminder of her mum’s love.

Anomama