Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock’s 2015 split was not only the end of a 26-year marriage — it was also the disillusionment of a business empire. The former couple got together in the mid 1980s while Blackstock was working as McEntire’s tour manager.

Reba McEntire Loved Brandon Blackstock Like a 'Son' originally appeared on Parade. Reba McEntire often spoke about the deep bond she shared with her former stepson, Brandon Blackstock, in the years before his death from cancer at 48.

Brandon, born in 1976, was the middle child of Narvel Blackstock and Elisa Gayle Ritter. In addition to Brandon, the couple had two daughters before divorcing in 1988. Narvel later married Reba McEntire and had a son, Shelby.