Stella Parton has shared new details about the final days of her sister Dolly Parton after the country music star died at age 80.
Writing on Facebook on Thursday, August 27, the 77-year-old singer stated that her older sister had gained her wings on Tuesday as farewell messages continued to flood social media following her passing.
In an extensive tribute, Stella Parton revealed that the late icon remained focused on helping others until her death. She explained that her sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful, and kind-hearted people she had ever known, adding that what the public saw was exactly who she was in private.
She disclosed that Dolly Parton recently told her that if there was no hope left for her own health, she would still allow her medical team to test experimental drugs on her in the hope of helping future patients.
Stella Parton urged fans looking to honor her sister's legacy to show greater kindness, support others, and dedicate more time and resources to those in need, noting that her sister maintained that mindset until the end.
Weekly morning phone calls and childhood farm upbringing
Dolly Parton, who grew up as one of 12 siblings in her family, shared a standing Tuesday morning phone date with her younger sister for many years. Stella Parton recalled that the pair would talk over coffee before sunrise while the rest of the world was still asleep, attributing their early schedule to growing up together on a farm.
She remembered her sister often joking that they accomplished more work before sunrise than most people managed all day. During these calls, the sisters exchanged gossip, drank coffee, and made plans together.
Dolly Parton rose from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to become one of country music's most celebrated singer-songwriters and philanthropists, famous for timeless hits such as Jolene and 9 to 5. Stella Parton also built a career as a country singer and television performer alongside her iconic sister.
Family grief and tributes from fellow stars
Reflecting on their sisterly bond, Stella Parton wrote that her Tuesday morning coffee routine would never be the same, though her sister's love, respect, and kindness would endure. She expressed belief that her sister was now in heaven making her presence felt with all her characteristic sparkle and rhinestones.
The massive outpouring of global affection has helped the Parton family navigate their grief, according to her sister. She recalled that while she often complained about world events, Dolly Parton loved everyone in the world and would laughingly tell her that they had far more important things to do than worry about other people's nonsense.
Stella Parton concluded her post by writing that her sister left the world a better place for having lived in it and called on fans to follow her example.
The sisterly tribute joins a series of remembrances from across the entertainment industry following the country legend's death. Actor Kevin Costner publicly thanked Dolly Parton for her generosity surrounding her signature composition I Will Always Love You, which featured prominently in his 1992 film The Bodyguard when performed by Whitney Houston.
Pop star Miley Cyrus, who is Dolly Parton's goddaughter, paid an emotional tribute stating that she felt she would always have an angel by her side. Meanwhile, details surfaced of a previously unknown letter from Parton to rapper Eminem in which she described feeling an inexplicable connection to him, while actor Sylvester Stallone remembered his time filming the 1984 comedy Rhinestone alongside the country star.
