Dolly Parton’s sister Frieda pays emotional tribute to the country icon as she reflects on their ‘highs and lows’: ‘I never stopped loving her’
Dolly Parton’s younger sister, Frieda, shared an emotional tribute to the country music star on Saturday.
Frieda, 69, who is a performer of country and hard rock music, opened about about Parton’s life and legacy four days after singing superstar’s death at 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
The lengthy message was shared on Facebook and also included a throwback photo of the sisters facing one another and clasping hands.
The Crops Came In singer acknowledged there were ‘highs and lows’ in their relationship at times, but ‘I never stopped loving her,’ she revealed.
Frieda began her post with a nod to the fans for their support.
‘Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,’ Frieda wrote of Parton, who was honored on Saturday night by the Grand Ole Opry after her death.
Dolly Parton’s younger sister, Frieda, 69, shared an emotional tribute to the country music star on Saturday, four days after her death at 80
The Crops Came In singer acknowledged there were ‘highs and lows’ in their relationship at times, but added, ‘I never stopped loving her’
‘I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark.’
‘She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).’
‘Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.’
She reminded fans how she asked them to pray for her sister a few months ago, ‘but now I’m going to ask you to please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss.’
She went on: ‘There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well.’
‘I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.’
Frieda shared she’s working on a special project that will honor her big sister and keep ‘a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too.
‘Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. All My Love, Freida,’ she concluded.
Frieda, who is a performer of country and hard rock music, shared: ‘She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18.’ Above, Frieda, center, in the recording studio with Parton and sister Stella in 1981
‘She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one),’ Frieda also quipped. Above, Frieda and Parton in 1981
‘There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well,’ Parton’s younger sister added. Above, Parton attending the premiere of Joyful Noise in 2012
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Three days after Parton’s death, her family gathered for an intimate funeral at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where she rests beside her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 aged 82.
Parton’s niece, Lainey Parton, confirmed that the Jolene hitmaker had been laid to rest in her own heartfelt tribute to the star.
She posted a series of sweet shots of the pair over the years, with the caption: ‘This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.
‘From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.
‘Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her. Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.’
The country music legend’s death shocked the world and came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her well-being.
Those close to the singer said she had both become increasingly reclusive and secretive about her own ill health in recent months.
And on Tuesday, Parton’s representatives revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’ in a statement to People, though they did not disclose what type of cancer it was.
The star’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
Parton died on Tuesday following a ‘brief battle with cancer
The singer, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades. Above, in 1977
She died Tuesday morning after being hospitalized Friday at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Fellow stars paid tribute following the news, including Hillary Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Khloe Kardashian and more.
President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Parton and ordered American flags lowered nationwide for one week in her honor.
Parton, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades. Her famous hits include Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You.
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