Reba McEntire Is a Proud Mom of One Son – She Shared a Heartwarming Dance with Him at His Fairytale Wedding

Looking ahead to what the future holds, Shelby and Marissa were excited for what was to come. They saw marriage as a partnership in tackling whatever life threw their way. More than anything, they were eager to build a family and create a legacy together.

A Mother’s Love, Strength, and the Values She Passed Down

Reba has always been immensely proud of the man Shelby has become. She raised him with the same strong values she learned growing up in Chockie, Oklahoma, ensuring that he grew up grounded despite the privileges of being her son.

“Mama and Daddy always said to me, ‘If you tell somebody you’re going to be somewhere at a certain time, you show up.’ That’s the way I was raised,” the singer revealed.

“When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win. He wouldn’t have learned anything that way. I always told Shelby, ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you. So don’t be a little jerk. Don’t be a spoiled brat,'” she added.

Her efforts paid off, as “a lot of people have told me you would never know [he] had been blessed with the life he was given,” Reba shared.

Shelby excelled in his own career, proving himself as a talented race car driver. He won the GT World Challenge America Overall Championship in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career.

While his mother’s name carried weight in the entertainment industry, he forged his own path in motorsports. His dedication to his craft was evident, and Reba couldn’t have been prouder.

“I’m very proud of him. He was a kid who had ADHD and could barely read in school, and now he’s read 10 books this year. He’s always trying to improve and do better,” the country star shared.

She added, “Shelby is a gift from God to me. We’re very close. I was a very self-centered person to a degree before Shelby. But then there’s a little character who you are given the job to protect and nurture and love and teach, so all the attention’s not on you anymore.”

Raising Shelby while managing a high-profile career was not easy, but Reba made it a priority to be present in his life. She frequently took him on tour, and when she couldn’t, she would fly home after concerts to take him to school in the morning before heading out for her next performance.

She credited having a great support system, including wonderful nannies, for helping her balance motherhood and her career. Shelby’s father also played an important role in his life.

“His daddy did a great job too,” Reba admitted. Shelby has publicly expressed gratitude for his father’s influence, sharing, “#happyfathersday to this guy! Words can’t describe how much I love you and how much you have impacted my life. Thank you for everything!”

Sadly, Reba and Narvel’s relationship did not have a fairytale ending. After 26 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2015. She later revealed, “The divorce was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any shape, form, or fashion.”

“I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles and go play somewhere else, is what daddy used to always say,” she added. Despite her heartbreak, she wanted everyone involved to find happiness.

Leaning on her faith, she relied on daily prayer to help her move forward. She also found strength in her close-knit group of friends, family, and professional team, all of whom supported her through the transition.

Nonetheless, things took a turn for the better for Reba, who shared in December 2023, “I’m happy, I’m in love. My kids are all healthy. My family’s healthy. So I’m happy.”

From raising her son with strong values to celebrating his milestone wedding, Reba has remained a devoted mother through every chapter of his life. As Shelby and Marissa build their future together, the singer’s unwavering love and influence will always be a guiding force.