More than one month after Brandon Blackstock died at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer, his former stepmom is opening up about how the family is coping with their loss. On the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards, country legend (and Narvel Blackstock’s ex) Reba McEntire shared how Brandon’s children — which include the two he shared with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson — are doing as they adjust to life without their dad.
Brandon died on August 7.
After a battle with malignant melanoma, news broke that Brandon had died. At the time, Kelly had just canceled the upcoming dates of her Las Vegas residency so that she would be able to be with the children she shared with Brandon, Remi and River.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” the family said in a statement at the time.
Reba said his kids have been leaning on each other.
While talking to Entertainment Tonight at the Emmys, Reba said that his four children are sticking together during this tough time.
“The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,” she said. “We know God’s got this.”
It sounds like Brandon is very missed.
During Reba’s conversation with ET, she said, “We miss him. We miss him every minute.”
That much seems to be true of the way that his family members have reacted to his death. In a tribute she shared to Brandon on Instagram, his daughter Savannah wrote that losing her dad felt like she had “lost a piece of my heart.”
“I’m so thankful for the time I did have and I can’t wait for eternity,” she wrote. “I love you daddy and I will miss you indefinitely. Enjoy your ranch up there, God designed it with your heart’s desires in mind.”
Reba paid tribute to him shortly after his death.
On August 12, Reba shared a sweet tribute to Brandon on Instagram, including photos of the two of them together through the years.
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” Reba wrote. “His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence. 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.”
