Brandon Blackstock Obituary Names Kelly Clarkson’s Former Assistant as ‘Loving Partner’ — What That Means

Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up: Brandon Blackstock’s obituary quietly identified Brittney Marie Jones, Kelly Clarkson’s former assistant, as his “beautiful and loving partner in life and business,” and yes, people are talking.

If you missed the headlines while scrolling, here’s the concise version with receipts: talent manager Brandon Blackstock died on August 7 at age 48 after a multi-year battle with melanoma, and his published obituary specifically credited Brittney Marie Jones as his partner as they built Headwaters Livestock Auction and the Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana. The obituary named Blackstock’s four children and praised his devotion as a father, but noticeably did not mention Kelly Clarkson, his ex-wife, even though they share two kids and a long, public divorce history. Multiple outlets reported the obituary language, and the Silver Bow County coroner confirmed Blackstock’s cause of death as melanoma.

Let me unpack the timeline for those who didn’t follow the divorce circus: Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and she filed for divorce in 2020. They reached a settlement in 2022 after a drawn-out legal fight over property and custody. The court ordered Blackstock to vacate Clarkson’s Montana ranch in June 2022, after which he purchased a $1.8 million ranch in Butte, Montana and continued his work as a talent manager and cattle operator.

Now, about Brittney Marie Jones: according to multiple reports, Jones had previously worked as an assistant to Clarkson in Los Angeles, later transitioning to serve as executive assistant and personal assistant to Blackstock as he focused on his Montana ventures. Her LinkedIn — cited in contemporary coverage — stated she assisted Clarkson under Blackstock’s management and later moved into the Montana operation to manage office and administration duties. Wedding photos appearing online indicate she was married to Greg Goose LaPoint in September 2021, though public records and reporting haven’t clarified when or how that marriage ended, and no official statements have been released about her personal life following that date.

The obituary’s language is the headline-grabber: it credits Blackstock and Jones with “building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.” That phrasing and the label “loving partner in life and business” have sparked curiosity and speculation because of how public Blackstock’s past relationship with Clarkson was. Still, the obituary also centered Blackstock’s identity on fatherhood, naming River, 11, and Remington, 9 — his children with Clarkson — along with Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, from his marriage to Melissa Ashworth.

Friends and family shared thoughts after his death. A family statement described how Brandon “bravely battled cancer for more than three years” and asked for privacy. The Silver Bow County coroner confirmed he passed peacefully at home. Public condolences poured in, including emotional tributes from eldest son Seth and half-brother Shelby, who remembered Brandon as a bright, funny presence. Insiders told People that Clarkson was “devastated” for their two kids and had tried to protect them during his illness.

So what’s the takeaway, since you probably wanted it spelled out? Brandon Blackstock’s obituary establishes Brittney Marie Jones as a central figure in his final years and his Montana business ventures, while omitting mention of Kelly Clarkson and Blackstock’s former wife, Melissa Ashworth. That selective naming is factual and notable, given Blackstock’s very public past. Whether this signals anything beyond a family’s framing of his final chapter is unknown and, frankly, none of us have the authority to decide that for them.

Keep watching for any official statements or family clarifications, because this kind of obituary language rarely goes unnoticed and follow-up reporting from outlets who first published the details will likely fill in gaps soon.

There. You’re caught up. Try not to make a social media drama out of someone’s obituary, okay?

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People, Us Weekly, Silver Bow County Coroner statements, The Sun
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed