Dolly Parton is no stranger to grief. Five months after her husband, Carl Dean, died, Parton offered some words of encouragement to Brandon Blackstock’s loved ones after his death.
Blackstock, who died at 48 after a three-year cancer battle, was married to Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2022. He shared three kids with the singer, River, 11, and Remington, 9.
Blackstock, who previously managed Blake Shelton, also had another big connection to country music. His father, Narvel Blackstock, was previously married to Reba McEntire, making the country legend his one-time step mom.
Parton is close to both Clarkson and McEntire. As such, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she shared some advice to the grieving women.
“I think you just have to be grateful for the years that you’ve had with someone, and you just try to remember the very best of all of that,” Parton said. “Take their energy that they had given you and kinda recycle that and let that become a part of you.”
She added that people who are grieving should “just honor their memory, and just know they’re in a better place than we are these days.”
What to Know About Brandon Blackstock’s Death
Blackstock’s family announced his death in a statement to People.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a rep for Blackstock’s family said. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
It was only one day prior that fans learned of Blackstock’s health battle. That came to light when Clarkson announced that she’d be postponing several shows of her Las Vegas residency because “my children’s father has been ill.”
After Blackstock died, Clarkson proceeded to pull out of her scheduled performance at Band Together Texas. Miranda Lambert organized the benefit concert after devastating floods in the state.
Blackstock’s death, a source claimed to Page Six, was hard on Clarkson, as she’d been caring for him during his illness.
“It’s been exhausting and so sad,” the source said. “… Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
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