Reba McEntire’s parents tell childhood stories of the music superstar
Clark and Jackie McEntire, parents of singing star Reba McEntire, at their home near Stringtown (Photo by David McDaniel/The Oklahoman)
Reba McEntire, top, and her three siblings are featured in this old family photo.
The Oklahoman’s award-winning columnist Bryan Painter recently visited McEntire Ranch in Chockie to chat with Clark and Jackie McEntire, parents of music superstar Reba McEntire.
The McEntires shared many wonderful stories about Reba’s childhood, from her early encounter with U.S. Rep. Carl Albert to her learning to drive at age 5 so she could help her daddy feed cattle. The singer made her singing debut in first grade with a solo of “Away in the Manger” in a school Christmas play, they recalled.
When Reba and her three siblings were growing up, they were either helping on the ranch, playing outside or singing. Their mother said when she was young, singing together was how her family entertained themselves.
“At night we didn’t have a radio or television or anything like that,” Jackie told Bryan about her childhood. “So the whole family sang.
“The singing just passes down from generation to generation.”
To read Bryan’s fascinating column, click here. Reba fans should definitely consider it required reading.
-BAM
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Comments
All of you girls could be a lot prettier if you weren’t so beautiful. And Pake is too good looking for his height. I had a great time with your dad, Clark, about two weeks ago. He showed me where Captain LeFlore lived and I got some photographs of the old remains of the toll bridge and Captain’s grave in the Limestone Gap Cemetery. We couldn’t get close to the grave because the grass was too tall.
I talked to Pake and I think we can get a booking for him to entertain us at the retirement center where I live in Edmond, Oklahoma. Talked to your Mother, Dad, Pake along with Clark and Sue Rhyne. Pake is out on the road now with his rodeo quests.
I sent Pake and Clark Rhyne photographs of Captain Charles M. LeFlore, Chickie and Chockie, his house, older sister and her husband who lived in Caddo. Her name was Matilda Elizabeth LeFlore. She married Doctor Thomas Jefferson Manning. He had over 1,000 horses and 600 head of cattle down at Caddo
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Captain LeFlore was my wife’s Great Great Uncle.
Captain LeFlore gave your Grandfather, John McEntire, his last two stud thoroughbred race horses. John McEntire worked for Captain LeFlore breaking his horses. He got most of is horses from his brother-in-law Dr. Manning in Caddo. Forbis LeFlore was Captains father. He came on the Trail of Tears. He is burried in the Cemetery at Boggy Depot. Forbis’s half brother Greenwood LeFlore was the last Chief of the Choctaws east of the Mississipi.
I am writting at least two historical novels about the LeFlore family and will mention John McEntire breaking Captain’s horses and going to the many dances held in his home there at Limestone Gap. Clark McEntire told me his father went to a lot of dances there as well.
I know your folks will be to see you soon. I pray they have a great trip. I was Ken & Kaye McEntire’s minister in Coalgate before they died. I miss them and your Dad told me he missed them too.
God bless and enjoy your folks when they come.
Joe Hock
I love the picture of you and your siblings,I would love to have one made like that….Dakota