Dolly Parton’s sister shares emotional wish she had before death in touching tribute
Dolly Parton’s sister has revealed how the beloved singer and philanthropist remained determined to help others amid her health struggles.
Tributes have poured in from fans, friends and loved ones since news of Parton’s death at the age of 80 was announced on Tuesday (25 August).
On Thursday, the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s younger sister, Stella Parton, shared a heartfelt tribute to her big sister, revealing that Dolly remained committed to helping others until the very end.
“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella wrote. “What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”
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She continued: “My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources, as she continued to do to the very end,” Stella continued.
Stella Parton, 77, is also a country singer and songwriter. Dolly was one of 12 siblings and she would have weekly coffee dates with Stella on Tuesday mornings, a ritual that had lasted many years.
“Every Tuesday about this time before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I for many years had our coffee together over the phone,” Stella shared.
“As she liked to say: ‘shoot Tedda we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!’”
The two sisters would gossip, catch up, drink coffee and make future plans.
“My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain.”
Stella said her sister ‘got her wings this past Tuesday’ in her tribute and also said her big sister will be ‘showing out big time in all her sparkles.
Representatives for Dolly confirmed in a statement that she passed away after a ‘brief battle with cancer’. The type of cancer was not disclosed.
Stella said the ‘outpouring of love and respect’ has helped the Parton family.
“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it,” Stella shared. “I would criticize and complain about it and she would laugh and say; ‘shoot Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses.’ She was right and she proved it everyday.”
Stella concluded her post dedicated to her sister by urging us all to use Dolly as an example, writing: “She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example.”
In addition to music, Parton was known for a charitable work. In 1995 she launched the Imagination Library aimed at improving children's literacy. She was inspired by her own father, who was unable to read and write.
The Imagination Library ensures one free book is sent each month to registered children from birth, until age five. It started in her home county in Tennessee and expanded to five countries, including the UK. Parton helped give away more than 300 million books.
Dolly Parton was also close friends with Billy Ray Cyrus and was the godmother to Miley Cyrus.
In a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram after the news of Parton’s death was announced, Billy Ray Cyrus shared the ‘beautiful’ message she had written to him, in which she told him she loved him ‘with her whole heart’.
The musician and actor wrote: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.
“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'”
“Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will.”
Miley Cyrus said in her statement she wants to make her godmother proud.
"The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," she wrote on Instagram. "Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.
"What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis."
She continued: "I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things."
Topics: Celebrity
Greg Harris