Reba McEntire's Journey As A Mother: Raising Shelby Blackstock With Pride

Reba McEntire has always been a proud mother to her son, Shelby Blackstock, whom she shares with her ex-husband Narvel Blackstock. Her love for Shelby is evident in the way she talks about him, and it's clear she's done an incredible job raising him with strong values, much like how she was raised in Oklahoma.

Introducing Shelby Blackstock: Reba's Loving Son

Shelby was born on February 23, 1990, in Nashville, Tennessee, just one year after Reba and Narvel tied the knot. As Reba opens up about raising Shelby, she shares her philosophy on parenting, emphasizing the importance of teaching him life lessons that go beyond just being loved by his mother.

Reba told People in October 2022, “When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win. I wanted him to learn from his experiences. I always told him, ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you too. Don’t be a little jerk or a spoiled brat.’” This approach to parenting has clearly paid off, as Reba proudly shares that many people have complimented her on Shelby's behavior and manners.

Read also:

Cheryl Ladds Family Life Daughter Jordan Ladd And Stepdaughter Lindsay Russell

She credits Narvel for helping shape Shelby into the gentleman he is today. Reba and Narvel were married from 1989 to 2015, and during their time together, they built a strong foundation for Shelby's upbringing. “I’m very proud of him,” Reba gushed. “He was a kid who had ADHD and struggled with reading in school, but now he’s read ten books this year. He’s always striving to improve himself, and his daddy played a huge role in that.”

Reba's Role as a StepMom and Mother

During her marriage to Narvel, Reba also became a stepmom to his children from his previous marriage to Elisa Gayle Ritter: Shawna Blackstock, Brandon Blackstock, and Chassidy Blackstock. She also formed close bonds with her stepchildren Lance Battles and Coty Battles from her first marriage to Charlie Battles. Despite her busy career, Reba has always prioritized her role as a mother and stepmom.

“Shelby is truly a gift from God to me,” Reba shared. “We have a very close relationship. Before Shelby, I was a bit self-centered, but once you're given the responsibility to protect, nurture, and teach a little person, all the attention shifts away from yourself. It's a beautiful transformation.”

Shelby Blackstock: The Race Car Driver

Shelby is a professional race car driver who first made waves in the racing world in 2010 and 2011. Reba fondly recalls how Shelby's adventurous spirit began showing at a young age. “Shelby would jump on the golf cart and drive me around,” she reminisced. “He could barely touch the gas pedal, but he’d say, ‘Hang on! It’s going to be a bumpy ride!’ and we’d chase the geese all around.”

Shelby decided to drop out of college to pursue racing full time, a decision that initially surprised Reba. “He came to me when he was a freshman in college and said, ‘I don’t want to go to college anymore. I want to be a race car driver!’ I was like, ‘Who are you, and what have you done with Shelby?’ I had no idea,” Reba admitted. But she supported him, and Shelby has since carved out a successful career in the racing world.

Shelby Blackstock's Love Life: Meeting Marissa Branch

On February 12, 2022, Shelby married Marissa Branch at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The couple met on the dating app Tinder in 2014, and Marissa, an influencer and licensed esthetician, quickly became an important part of Shelby's life. Reba attended the wedding with her boyfriend, Rex Linn, and Narvel was also present for their son's special day.

Read also:

Wayne Newton The Heart Of Las Vegas And The Joy Of Fatherhood

“Everyone was in close proximity, but it felt like a happy family event,” an insider told Closer in March 2022. “Nobody created any awkwardness. It was a celebration of love and unity.”