Dolly Parton’s sister Freida honors late icon in emotional tribute: ‘No one can replace her’
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton is mourning the country music icon, who died at 80 following a brief battle with cancer. She shared a touching tribute to her “big sister” on Facebook on Saturday, August 29, four days after her death.
Freida reflected on their childhood, their close bond and the loss now facing their family. She also thanked fans for their prayers and support as the Parton family navigates the “insurmountable loss.”
Freida honors Dolly Parton after death
Freida thanked her followers for “bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” recalling how Dolly was more than a superstar to her.
“I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma,” she wrote, remembering how Dolly would climb into bed with her when they were young because they were both afraid of the dark. Dolly also “stepped up and became my Momma,” raising Freida from ages 13 to 18.
Freida recalled that she once tried to convince Dolly to wear her wigs during her shows at Dollywood, though she joked, “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,” Freida wrote, adding that through “all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears,” she never stopped loving Dolly.
Freida asked people to pray for her and the entire family as they navigate the loss. “There will never be anyone, no one can replace her in our hearts,” she wrote, adding that Dolly holds a special place in many people’s hearts.
She also promised to keep going, smiling and sharing the love Dolly gave freely, even on days when it feels impossible. She revealed that she is “working on something very special” in Dolly’s honor as a way of keeping “a little piece of my Dolly Momma.”
Dolly Parton’s family shares heartfelt tributes
Dolly was one of 12 children born in Tennessee to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Parton. Last October, Freida asked for prayers for Dolly after the singer postponed her Las Vegas residency because of unspecified health struggles.
She later clarified that she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious.”
Following Dolly’s death, the Parton family has honored her through tributes and musical performances.
Freida’s daughter, Jada Star, led a tribute at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry with a rendition of 'The Orchard,' which she and Dolly had previously performed for the family album 'Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.'
In June 2026, Dolly’s sister Stella spoke about losing brothers David, Randy and Floyd. She described the family as “very emotionally connected” through a “soul connection” and said grief had caused “writer’s block.”
Stella, who channeled her grief into a cover of Ben E King’s 'Stand by Me,' said losing her brothers was “painful and sobering,” adding that sibling loss is difficult to accept because siblings have been together “your whole life.”
She continued, “Losing your parents is one thing… but that’s the natural progression of life. You accept and embrace that change from having parents to being an orphan, But you don’t accept that as easily with a sibling. Siblings are closer than anyone. I didn’t realize it would be such a painful experience.”
