Reba McEntire Reveals the One Question About Dolly Parton She May Never Get to Answer

Reba McEntire has one unanswered question about Dolly Parton — and she knows she may have to wait a very long time before she gets the answer.

The two country music legends shared a friendship that lasted for decades, and McEntire recently had an especially personal opportunity to honor that connection during the 2026 Primetime Emmys.

But one particular memory from the final weeks of Parton’s life continues to stay with Reba: a phone call from Dolly that she never managed to return.

Reba May Never Know Why Dolly Called

Near the end of July, Dolly Parton tried to reach McEntire by phone while Reba was sitting in a meeting.

By the time the meeting was over and McEntire was able to call back, she couldn’t get through to Dolly.

That missed connection has remained with her ever since.

McEntire later explained that she had seen the call while she was busy and tried afterward to reconnect, but the two never managed to speak.

Then came the heartbreaking news that Dolly had died.

Reba was left with one question she could no longer ask her friend:

Why had Dolly called?

She has said that perhaps, someday, she’ll find out.

Reba’s Emotional Tribute to Dolly

Following Parton’s death in August at age 80, McEntire quickly shared a heartfelt tribute remembering the friend and fellow country star who had meant so much to her.

She reflected on Dolly’s enormous generosity, her music, her love, and the impact she had on so many people.

Reba also remembered the first time she met Dolly and the significance of their final conversation, saying she would carry those memories with her.

Her connection to Dolly was especially visible during the 2026 Primetime Emmys, where McEntire performed “Appalachian Memories” as part of the tribute honoring Parton.

But the performance wasn’t simply a singer covering the work of a beloved friend.

Reba brought something deeply personal with her onto the stage.

She wore jewelry that had belonged to Dolly, including a butterfly ring and matching earrings.

Those small details gave the performance an emotional significance beyond the music itself.

It felt as though Reba was carrying a physical reminder of Dolly with her as she stood on that stage.

9 Dolly Parton Songs About Heaven and Faith

Dolly Parton’s music catalog spans decades and includes some of the biggest songs in country music, from “Jolene” to “9 to 5.”

But another important part of her musical legacy was her faith.

Parton openly spoke about her relationship with Jesus and frequently incorporated Christian themes into her music. Many of her songs imagined what Heaven might be like and explored ideas of salvation, faith, and eternal life.

One example is “Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away.”

The song delivers a simple message centered on prayer and faith, imagining Heaven as something that can be reached through a sincere connection with Jesus.

Another is “He’s Alive,” in which Parton reflects on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The song places the listener inside the story, touching on fear, regret, forgiveness, and the joy of discovering that Christ has risen.

In “When Jesus Comes Calling for Me,” Parton turns toward the inevitable end of earthly life.

The song tells the story of an elderly man named Zeke, who spoke to Dolly about Heaven and encouraged her not to mourn when his time eventually came.

Then there is “Golden Streets of Glory,” a song filled with imagery of Heaven.

Parton describes green fields, abundance, and the golden streets of glory, creating a vivid picture of the place she hoped to reach someday.

Parton also collaborated with Zach Williams on “There Was Jesus.”

The song reflects the idea that even during painful, uncertain, or difficult moments, Jesus remains present. Their collaboration became another expression of the faith that was so important to Parton’s life and music.

In “Book of Life,” Parton sings about Christian belief in eternal life and the idea that a believer’s name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The song focuses on repentance, salvation, and receiving the promise of life beyond this world.

She also recorded “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Brad Paisley.

Together, they portray Heaven as a destination at the end of life’s long journey — a place without the struggles carried throughout earthly life, where loved ones can ultimately be reunited.

Another deeply spiritual song in Parton’s catalog is “The Seeker.”

In it, she presents herself humbly as someone searching for guidance, while looking to Christ as the teacher and guide who can lead her through life.

And finally, there is “The Lord Is My Shepherd.”

The words themselves come from Psalm 23, traditionally attributed to King David, but Parton’s performance gives the familiar biblical passage a musical and emotional interpretation centered on God’s protection, provision, and peace.

For Reba McEntire, however, Dolly’s legacy is not simply contained in recordings or performances.

It also lives in the memories shared between two women whose friendship lasted for decades.

And one unanswered phone call at the end of Dolly’s life may remain with Reba for a very long time.

Perhaps, as she said, she’ll find out one day why Dolly called.