She will be remembered forever.
The world is continuing to mourn the passing of Dolly Parton, as the legendary country singer, actress, philanthropist and all-around icon passed away on August 25 at the age of 80.
In a statement from her team, it was confirmed that Dolly passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center here in Nashville, with her nephew Bryan Seaver announcing her death on behalf of the family. Her reps later confirmed that it ended after a “brief battle with cancer”:
At Dolly’s request, a small private service was held for immediate family a few days ago, and her nephew previously revealed to TMZ that Dolly will be buried “in her signature high heels and a comfortable cotton dress” in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, where her late husband Carl Dean is buried.
In the days since her passing, Dolly’s family members have slowly started to share their memories and heartbreak from losing their beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Stella Parton, Dolly’s younger sister, revealed that she wanted the doctors at Vanderbilt to use experimental drugs on her in the hope of helping others after her passing.
And her other sister, Frieda, shared a lengthy post about her “Dolly Momma,” who had a big part in raising her. Frieda was the sister who had posted on Facebook asking fans to pray for Dolly’s recovery when she first got sick when the world thought it was just kidney stones.
It became international news, and fans were obviously concerned that there might be more going on:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.
She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
And now, days after her sisters passing, Freida once again took to Facebook to share about how much she loved her sister and the very special relationship.
Because Dolly had 11 brothers and sisters, she helped her mom with some of her younger siblings, and she helped raise Freida, noting that she remembered how Dolly would climb in bed with her when she was little because she was scared of the dark.
Of course, like all sisters, they had their fair share of disagreements, but it’s clear how much they loved each other:
“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister. 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.”
Freida alluded to the aforementioned news story, saying that now, instead of asking for prayers for her sister, it’s their family that needs prayers as they “navigate this insurmountable loss”:
“I asked you all months ago to pray for Dolly, but now I’m going to ask you to please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss. 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. I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honor.
It’s my way of keeping 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.”
I think many of us are still in disbelief that she’s really gone, and I can only imagine how sad it is for her family, especially her siblings, whom she remained close with for her entire life.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Dolly.
