REBA MCENTIRE: The Queen of Country Immortalized in Bronze in Her Hometown of Chockie, Oklahoma
In the heart of Chockie, Oklahoma, something extraordinary is taking shape — a 25-foot monument that will forever honor Reba McEntire, the woman widely celebrated as the Queen of Country. For more than four decades, her unmistakable voice, her resilience, and her fiery red hair have defined the spirit of American country music. Now, her hometown is ensuring that her story, and her legacy, will stand tall for generations to come.
The monument, set for unveiling in 2026, will coincide with Reba’s much-anticipated farewell tour, fittingly titled “One Last Rodeo.” It will not simply be a statue but a symbol: a bronze flame that will never burn out, honoring a performer who rose from humble Oklahoma beginnings to become a national treasure.
A Tribute Funded by the People
What makes this project even more remarkable is that it is being funded by Reba’s fans — millions of them across the world who have contributed to ensure their heroine’s journey is immortalized in her hometown. For these fans, the monument is not just about celebrating an entertainer. It is about honoring a woman who turned heartbreak into harmony, and who gave voice to countless women searching for strength, courage, and hope in their own lives.
As one fan from Texas put it: “Reba didn’t just sing songs. She sang our lives. When we hear ‘Fancy’ or ‘Consider Me Gone,’ we don’t just hear music. We hear our own stories told back to us.”
The Voice of Oklahoma
Born in 1955 in McAlester and raised in Chockie, Reba grew up surrounded by the rugged resilience of ranch life. She first began singing publicly while still a teenager, eventually catching the attention of country music scouts. From there, she carved out a career that would see her sell more than 75 million records worldwide, earn countless awards, and become one of the most beloved performers of all time.
Yet for all her success, Reba never forgot her roots. She has often spoken of Oklahoma as the place that shaped her values — faith, family, and perseverance. The decision to build her monument in Chockie is both fitting and symbolic, a reminder that even the brightest stars can shine brightest when they remain grounded in the soil from which they came.
A Survivor, A Storyteller, A Symbol
What sets Reba apart is not only her extraordinary talent but her ability to weave survival and resilience into her music. Whether belting out the heartbreak of “Whoever’s in New England” or the empowerment of “I’m a Survivor,” Reba has always been more than a singer. She is a storyteller who has lived the ups and downs she sings about.
She endured personal heartbreak, professional setbacks, and even tragedy, but time and again she rose stronger, her voice becoming a lifeline for fans navigating struggles of their own. The upcoming monument will stand not just as a tribute to a performer but as a symbol of strength for anyone who needs reminding that resilience can build legacies.
The Farewell Tour: One Last Rodeo
The timing of the statue’s unveiling adds to its emotional weight. In 2026, Reba will embark on her farewell tour, “One Last Rodeo.” It promises to be a sweeping celebration of her career, with setlists featuring classics like “Fancy,” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” “Consider Me Gone,” and countless more. The tour will not only honor her music but the fans who made it possible, culminating in the unveiling of the statue in her hometown.
Local officials in Chockie expect the event to draw thousands of visitors, transforming the small town into a global gathering place for Reba’s fans. Hotels across Oklahoma are already preparing for an influx of tourism, and the unveiling is predicted to be one of the most significant cultural events in the state’s history.
A Flame That Will Not Fade
In the end, the monument is more than bronze and artistry. It is a permanent flame — a tribute to a woman who gave country music its voice and gave millions of women their strength. For fans, the towering statue will not only honor Reba McEntire the entertainer but Reba McEntire the daughter of Oklahoma, whose story embodies the grit and grace of the land itself.
As the date of 2026 approaches, excitement builds not only for Reba’s farewell tour but for the chance to see her immortalized in her hometown. Long after the final curtain falls on “One Last Rodeo,” one truth will remain: the voice, the strength, and the spirit of Reba McEntire will never fade.