Dolly Parton’s younger sister, Frieda, shared an emotional tribute to the country star on Saturday.
Frieda, 69, an interpreter of country and hard rock music, opened up about Parton’s life and legacy four days after singing the death of a superstar at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
The lengthy post was shared on Facebook and also included a throwback photo of the sisters standing opposite each other and joining hands.
The Crops Came In singer acknowledged that there have been “highs and lows” in their relationship at times, but added, “I never stopped loving her.”
Frieda started her post with a nod to fans for their support.
“Thank you all for your patience as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Frieda wrote of Parton, who was honored by the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday evening 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 the age of 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 for the whole world she was a superstar, but to me she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who climbed into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark.’
‘She was the woman who became my mother and raised me from 13 to 18 years old. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows at Dollywood (sorry sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to that).”
“Like all sisters, we’ve certainly had our share of arguments and disagreements over the years, but through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I have always loved 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 go through this insurmountable loss.”
She continued, “There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of you too.”
“I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That’s what I’m going to try, even on the days when it seems impossible.’
Frieda shared that she is 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 all of us. All my love, Freida,” she concluded.
Frieda, an interpreter of country and hard rock music, said, “She was the woman who went one step further and became my mother, raising me from age 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 at Dollywood (sorry sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you there),” Frieda also joked. 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 you too,” Parton’s younger sister added. Above, Parton at the 2012 premiere of Joyful Noise
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Three days after Parton’s death, her family gathered for an intimate funeral at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she rests next to her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
Parton’s niece, Lainey Parton, confirmed that the Jolene hitmaker was laid to rest in her own heartfelt tribute to the star.
Lainey wrote that Parton supported her financially through school and treated her like her own child.
She posted a series of beautiful photos of the couple over the years, captioning it: “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until my grandmother was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put all this into words.”
‘From when I was a child, my grandmother always made 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 for everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her.’
‘Because she couldn’t have children of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and for that I will forever be grateful,” Lainey wrote.
“As I got older, she continued to believe in me. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I didn’t go to college. She told me she didn’t see me doing anything else.”
Parton’s niece, Lainey Parton, confirmed the Jolene hitmaker was buried in her own heartfelt tribute to the star
‘Because she couldn’t have children of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and for that I will forever be grateful,” Lainey wrote
Lainey added that Parton “supported me financially through college and helped me get my career going. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”
She shared some sweet photos with her beloved aunt
“I’m even going to miss those 4am phone calls and I would give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” she wrote in her caption
They showed one moment together on stage
Lainey added that Parton “supported me financially through college and helped me get my career going. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”
She continued, “It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs and the fact that she was there.’
“I’m even going to miss those 4 a.m. phone calls, and I would give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again.”
‘I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to call her my grandmother. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me and making me feel like I can do anything. I love you, grandma. Always.’
The country legend’s death shocked the world and came after months of health problems that saw her withdraw from a series of public appearances, fueling fans’ fears for her well-being.
People close to the singer said she had become increasingly withdrawn and secretive about her own ill health in recent months.
And on Tuesday, Parton’s reps announced in a statement that she died after a “brief battle with cancer.” Peoplealthough they did not reveal what type of cancer it was.
The star’s death was first confirmed on Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her cousin Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
Parton died Tuesday after a ‘brief battle with cancer’
The singer, often called the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned no less than six decades. Above, in 1977
She died Tuesday morning after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday 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 nationwide be lowered for a week in her honor.
Often called the Queen of Country, Parton enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned six decades. Her best-known hits include Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You.
